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Microwave-Actuated Hot-Carrier/Polarization Triggers Catalysis to Coordinate Staphylococcus aureus Ribosome Stalling

Yuqian Qiao1,2, Zhiyuan Sang1, Ting Zhang1

  • 1School of Materials Science & Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China.

Advanced Materials (Deerfield Beach, Fla.)
|November 17, 2025
PubMed

Insights

This study introduces novel microwave-thermal-electricity tandem reactors that enhance microwave dynamic therapy (MWDT) for deep infections by generating reactive oxygen species and stalling bacterial ribosomes, improving antimicrobial efficacy.

Area of Science:

  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Materials Science
  • Infectious Disease Research

Background:

  • Microwave dynamic therapy (MWDT) faces limitations in treating deep-seated infections due to low microwave energy.
  • Novel strategies are needed to amplify MWDT efficacy for enhanced antimicrobial treatments.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop an efficient MW-actuated hot-carrier/polarization-triggered catalysis strategy to improve MWDT for deep infections.
  • To investigate the synergistic effects of tandem reactors and MW-induced bacterial ribosome stalling for targeted antimicrobial therapy.

Main Methods:

  • Fabrication of Seebeck-type (CNT-Bi2Te3) and pyroelectric-type (CNT-ZnO) MW-thermal-electricity tandem reactors.
  • Utilizing carbon nanotubes (CNT) to convert microwaves into local heat, activating Bi2Te3 or ZnO for reactive oxygen species (ROS) production.
  • Employing transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses to understand MW effects on Staphylococcus aureus at the ribosomal level.

Main Results:

  • The tandem reactors efficiently produced ROS by activating hot-carrier or polarization effects.
  • Microwaves were found to stall Staphylococcus aureus ribosomes, inhibiting bacterial proliferation.
  • Demonstrated a targeted bactericidal effect in vivo and in vitro through the synergy of the tandem reactor and ribosome stalling.

Conclusions:

  • The developed MW-thermal-electricity tandem reactors significantly enhance MWDT efficacy for deep-seated infections.
  • The strategy synergizes material catalysis with direct bacterial inhibition (ribosome stalling) for potent antimicrobial activity.
  • This approach offers a promising foundation for developing advanced antimicrobial products for precise and efficient therapies.
Keywords:
deep‐seated infectionsmicrowave therapymicrowave‐thermal‐electricity tandem reactorribosome stalling

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