Researchers
at RMIT University have developed a new artificial enzyme that uses light to
kill bacteria. The artificial enzymes could one day be used in the fight
against infections, and to keep high-risk public spaces like hospitals free of
bacteria like E coli and Golden Staph.
Made
from tiny nanorods — 1,000 times smaller than the thickness of the human hair —
the “NanoZymes” use visible light to create highly reactive oxygen species that
rapidly break down and kill bacteria.
Lead
researcher Professor Vipul Bansal said: “For a number of years we have been
attempting to develop artificial enzymes that can fight bacteria, while also
offering opportunities to control bacterial infections using external
'triggers' and 'stimuli'. Now we have finally cracked it.”
He
adds: “Our NanoZymes are artificial enzymes that combine light with moisture to
cause a biochemical reaction that produces OH radicals and breaks down
bacteria. Nature’s antibacterial activity does not respond to external triggers
such as light. We have shown that when shined upon with a flash of white light,
the activity of our NanoZymes increases by over 20 times, forming holes in
bacterial cells and killing them efficiently. This next generation of
nanomaterials are likely to offer new opportunities in bacteria free surfaces
and controlling spread of infections in public hospitals.”
The
NanoZymes work in a solution that mimics the fluid in a wound. This solution could
be sprayed onto surfaces. The NanoZymes are also produced as powders to mix
with paints, ceramics, and other consumer products. This could mean
bacteria-free walls and surfaces in hospitals.
While
the NanoZymes currently use visible light from torches or similar light
sources, in the future they could be activated by sunlight. The researchers
have shown that the NanoZymes work in a lab environment. The team is now
evaluating the long-term performance of the NanoZymes in consumer products.
Posted by Dr. Tim Sandle