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Updated: Aug 13, 2025
Antimicrobial Characterization of Advanced Materials for Bioengineering Applications
Published on: August 4, 2018
Metal-Organic Frameworks and Their Biodegradable Composites for Controlled Delivery of Antimicrobial Drugs
Tayah C Livesey1, Lila A M Mahmoud1,2, Maria G Katsikogianni1
1School of Chemistry and Biosciences, University of Bradford, Bradford BD7 1DP, UK.
Abstract:
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing global crisis with an increasing number of untreatable or exceedingly difficult-to-treat bacterial infections, due to their growing resistance to existing drugs. It is predicted that AMR will be the leading cause of death by 2050. In addition to ongoing efforts on preventive strategies and infection control, there is ongoing research towards the development of novel vaccines, antimicrobial agents, and optimised diagnostic practices to address AMR. However, developing new therapeutic agents and medicines can be a lengthy process. Therefore, there is a parallel ongoing worldwide effort to develop materials for optimised drug delivery to improve efficacy and minimise AMR. Examples of such materials include functionalisation of surfaces so that they can become self-disinfecting or non-fouling, and the development of nanoparticles with promising antimicrobial properties attributed to their ability to damage numerous essential components of pathogens. A relatively new class of materials, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), is also being investigated for their ability to act as carriers of antimicrobial agents, because of their ultrahigh porosity and modular structures, which can be engineered to control the delivery mechanism of loaded drugs. Biodegradable polymers have also been found to show promising applications as antimicrobial carriers; and, recently, several studies have been reported on delivery of antimicrobial drugs using composites of MOF and biodegradable polymers. This review article reflects on MOFs and polymer-MOF composites, as carriers and delivery agents of antimicrobial drugs, that have been studied recently, and provides an overview of the state of the art in this highly topical area of research.
Insights
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global health crisis. This review explores metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and polymer-MOF composites as novel carriers for antimicrobial drugs to combat resistant infections.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Drug Delivery
Background:
- Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a significant global health threat, projected to cause millions of deaths annually by 2050.
- Existing antimicrobial agents are becoming less effective due to increasing bacterial resistance.
- Novel strategies are urgently needed, including advanced drug delivery systems to enhance treatment efficacy and combat AMR.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advancements in using metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and polymer-MOF composites as carriers for antimicrobial agents.
- To provide an overview of the current state-of-the-art in MOF-based drug delivery systems for combating AMR.
- To highlight the potential of these materials in developing next-generation antimicrobial therapies.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent studies on MOFs and polymer-MOF composites for antimicrobial drug delivery.
- Analysis of material properties, including porosity and modular structure, relevant to drug encapsulation and release.
- Evaluation of antimicrobial efficacy and delivery mechanisms of MOF-based systems.
Main Results:
- Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) exhibit ultrahigh porosity and tunable structures, making them promising carriers for antimicrobial agents.
- Polymer-MOF composites offer enhanced stability and controlled release profiles for loaded drugs.
- Functionalized surfaces and nanoparticles, including MOFs, show potential for self-disinfecting and non-fouling applications.
Conclusions:
- MOFs and polymer-MOF composites represent a promising frontier in developing advanced drug delivery systems to combat antimicrobial resistance.
- These materials offer versatile platforms for engineering targeted and effective antimicrobial therapies.
- Further research into MOF-based composites is crucial for translating these findings into clinical applications against resistant bacterial infections.
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