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The Synergistic Effect of Visible Light and Gentamycin on Pseudomona aeruginosa Microorganisms
Published on: July 2, 2013
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Visible-light-responsive supramolecular enzyme mimics for combating antimicrobial resistance.
Rahul Mahashaya1, Rishab Pandey1, Alisha Kamra1
1Materials Research Centre, Indian Institute of Science Bangalore, Karnataka, India. rajamalli@iisc.ac.in.
Journal of Materials Chemistry. B
|January 12, 2026
Summary
Researchers developed a new light-activated antimicrobial agent using AIEgens. This visible-light-responsive suprazyme effectively kills bacteria like MRSA and E. coli with minimal toxicity, offering a promising alternative to traditional antibiotics.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Materials Science
- Photochemistry
Background:
- Antimicrobial resistance necessitates novel therapeutic strategies beyond conventional antibiotics.
- Photodynamic inactivation offers controlled antimicrobial action with reduced resistance development.
- Visible-light-responsive agents are crucial for deep-tissue penetration and minimizing photodamage in biomedical applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design and synthesize metal-free, visible-light-responsive antimicrobial agents based on benzohydrazide aggregation-induced emission luminogens (AIEgens).
- To investigate the effect of π-extension on the photophysical properties and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation of these suprazymes.
- To evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy and biocompatibility of the developed agents.
Main Methods:
- Systematic π-extension of benzohydrazide AIEgens from benzene to naphthalene and anthracene.
- Characterization of photophysical properties, including band gap and absorption spectra.
- Assessment of oxidase-like activity and ROS generation under white light.
- Evaluation of antimicrobial activity against MRSA and E. coli, and cytotoxicity assays on mammalian cells.
Main Results:
- π-extension progressively narrowed the band gap, red-shifting absorption into the visible region and enhancing ROS generation.
- G0Ant, with an anthracene core, exhibited superior oxidase-like activity, producing superoxide radicals efficiently.
- The suprazyme assemblies demonstrated high stability across various ionic strengths, pH, and temperatures.
- G0Ant showed potent light-activated antibacterial efficacy against MRSA and E. coli, causing membrane disruption with minimal dark toxicity and good biocompatibility.
Conclusions:
- Benzohydrazide-based AIEgens can be rationally designed as visible-light-responsive suprazymes through π-extension.
- These suprazymes offer an effective and safe antimicrobial therapy strategy by generating ROS under visible light.
- The developed AIEgen-based suprazymes represent a promising advancement in combating antimicrobial resistance.
