Emerging trends in aggregation induced emissive luminogens as bacterial theranostics

Area of Science:

• Nanotechnology
• Biomedical Engineering
• Organic Chemistry

Background:

• Antibiotic-resistant bacteria pose a significant global health threat, necessitating novel detection and therapeutic strategies.
• Current methods for bacterial diagnosis and treatment often lack the sensitivity and specificity required for effective intervention.
• The integration of diagnostic imaging with antibacterial therapy is crucial for comprehensive patient management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the recent advancements in using aggregation-induced emissive molecules (AIEgens) coupled with nanotechnology for bacterial theranostics.
• To elucidate the design principles and applications of AIE-based nanolights for bacterial detection, identification, and eradication.
• To highlight future perspectives and research opportunities in AIE bacterial theranostics.

Main Methods:

• Review of literature on AIEgens and nanotechnology in bacterial theranostics.
• Categorization of AIE-active bacterial theranostics (e.g., nanoprodrugs, nanomachines, polymers, bioconjugates).
• Analysis of mechanistic insights into AIE fluorophore benefits for theranostic applications.

Main Results:

• AIEgens exhibit unique fluorescence properties in aggregate form, suitable for nanotechnology integration.
• AIE theranostics offer customized functions including sensing, imaging, detection, discrimination, and bacterial cell kill.
• Various classes of AIE-based theranostics have shown promise in bacterial management.

Conclusions:

• The combination of AIEgens and nanotechnology provides a powerful platform for developing advanced bacterial theranostics.
• AIE theranostics enable precise bacterial imaging, detection, and targeted eradication, addressing the challenge of antibiotic resistance.
• Further research into AIE bacterial theranostics holds significant potential for translational applications in combating bacterial infections.