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Updated: Aug 29, 2025
LED-Based In Vitro Screening for Assessing Photoactivable Molecules in Bacterial Photodynamic Inactivation
Published on: January 24, 2025
Recent advances in engineered polymeric materials for efficient photodynamic inactivation of bacterial pathogens
Sathishkumar Gnanasekar1, Gopinath Kasi1, Xiaodong He1
1Chongqing Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Technologies of Clean Energies, School of Materials and Energy, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, PR China.
Abstract:
Nowadays, infectious diseases persist as a global crisis by causing significant destruction to public health and the economic stability of countries worldwide. Especially bacterial infections remain a most severe concern due to the prevalence and emergence of multi-drug resistance (MDR) and limitations with existing therapeutic options. Antibacterial photodynamic therapy (APDT) is a potential therapeutic modality that involves the systematic administration of photosensitizers (PSs), light, and molecular oxygen (O2) for coping with bacterial infections. Although the existing porphyrin and non-porphyrin PSs were effective in APDT, the poor solubility, limited efficacy against Gram-negative bacteria, and non-specific distribution hinder their clinical applications. Accordingly, to promote the efficiency of conventional PSs, various polymer-driven modification and functionalization strategies have been adopted to engineer multifunctional hybrid phototherapeutics. This review assesses recent advancements and state-of-the-art research in polymer-PSs hybrid materials developed for APDT applications. Further, the key research findings of the following aspects are considered in-depth with constructive discussions: i) PSs-integrated/functionalized polymeric composites through various molecular interactions; ii) PSs-deposited coatings on different substrates and devices to eliminate healthcare-associated infections; and iii) PSs-embedded films, scaffolds, and hydrogels for regenerative medicine applications.
Insights
Polymer modification of photosensitizers (PSs) enhances antibacterial photodynamic therapy (APDT) efficacy against multi-drug resistant bacteria. These hybrid materials offer improved solubility and targeted delivery for treating infections and in regenerative medicine.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Biomedical Engineering
- Photochemistry
Background:
- Infectious diseases, particularly bacterial infections, pose a significant global health and economic challenge due to multi-drug resistance (MDR) and limited therapeutic options.
- Antibacterial photodynamic therapy (APDT), utilizing photosensitizers (PSs), light, and oxygen, is a promising approach, but conventional PSs face limitations like poor solubility and efficacy against Gram-negative bacteria.
- Polymer-based strategies are being explored to enhance the performance and clinical applicability of PSs in APDT.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advancements in polymer-photosensitizer (PSs) hybrid materials for antibacterial photodynamic therapy (APDT).
- To discuss the integration of PSs into polymeric composites, coatings, and scaffolds for enhanced antibacterial efficacy and regenerative medicine applications.
- To highlight strategies for overcoming limitations of conventional PSs through polymer modification.
Main Methods:
- Review of literature on polymer-PSs hybrid materials for APDT.
- Analysis of PSs-integrated/functionalized polymeric composites via molecular interactions.
- Assessment of PSs-deposited coatings on various substrates for infection control.
- Evaluation of PSs-embedded films, scaffolds, and hydrogels for regenerative medicine.
Main Results:
- Polymer modification significantly improves PSs solubility, efficacy against Gram-negative bacteria, and distribution.
- Hybrid materials demonstrate potential in eliminating healthcare-associated infections via antimicrobial coatings.
- PSs-embedded polymeric systems show promise for applications in regenerative medicine.
Conclusions:
- Polymer-PSs hybrid materials represent a significant advancement in APDT for combating bacterial infections, including MDR strains.
- These engineered phototherapeutics offer versatile applications ranging from infection control to regenerative medicine.
- Further research into these hybrid materials is crucial for their successful clinical translation.
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