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Bio-inspired antimicrobial polymers

  • T. D. Michl
  • , K. E. S. Locock
  • , S. S. Griesser
  • , M. Haeussler
  • , L. Meagher
  • , H. J. Griesser

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter (Book)Researchpeer-review

Abstract

Traditionally, most antibiotics are relatively low molecular weight chemical compounds. Bacteria have shown the ability to acquire resistance to many antibiotics. In nature, on the other hand, there are examples of antibiotics to which resistance has not been developed. This is particularly the case for naturally occurring antimicrobial peptides. In this chapter we discuss antimicrobial peptides and their postulated mechanisms of action, followed by a review of synthetic polymers with structures inspired by biological molecules, particularly antimicrobial peptides. We also review the grafting of polymers onto biomaterials and biomedical devices, so as to generate polymeric antimicrobial coatings.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationBiosynthetic Polymers for Medical Applications
EditorsL. Poole-Warren, P. Martens, R. Green
Place of PublicationCambridge UK
PublisherWoodhead Publishing Limited
Chapter4
Pages87-127
Number of pages41
ISBN (Electronic)9781782421139
ISBN (Print)9781782421054
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2016
Externally publishedYes

Publication series

NameWoodhead Publishing Series in Biomaterials
PublisherElsevier
Volume107

Keywords

  • Antibacterial coatings
  • Antibiotics
  • Antimicrobial peptides
  • Antimicrobial polymers
  • Surface grafting

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