Switchable antimicrobial and antifouling hydrogels with enhanced mechanical properties.

Cao, Bin; Tang, Qiong; Li, Linlin; Humble, Jayson; Wu, Haiyan; Liu, Lingyun; Cheng, Gang · Adv Healthc Mater · 2013

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

New switchable hydrogels are developed. Under acidic conditions, hydrogels undergo self-cyclization and can catch and kill bacteria. Under neutral/basic conditions, hydrogels undergo ring-opening and can release killed bacterial cells and resist protein adsorption and bacterial attachment. Smart hydrogels also show a dramatically improved mechanical property, which is highly desired for biomedical applications.

Medical subject headings