Researchers have converted recycled plastic bottles
into non-toxic and biocompatible materials designed to specifically
target and attack fungal infections.
With this breakthrough, a research team used
nanotechnology and converted common plastic materials like polyethylene
terephthalate (PET), which is the plastic used to make drinks bottles.
The newly formed anti-fungal agents self-assemble through a
hydrogen-bonding process, sticking to each other like molecular Velcro
in a polymer-like fashion to form nanofibers. Infection Control
notes that this novel nanofiber carries a positive charge and can
selectively target and attach to only the negatively-charged fungal
membranes based on electrostatic interaction. The new compound then
breaks through and destroys the fungal cell membrane walls, preventing
the fungus from developing resistance.
The in vivo antifungal activity of the nanofibers was evaluated
in a mouse model using a contact lens-associated yeast infection,
according to Controlled Environments.
The reason behind the new nano tech is because traditional anti-fungal
therapeutics need to get inside the cell to attack the infection but
have trouble targeting and penetrating the fungi membrane wall. This
process is complex and not always successful.
The research was conducted by IBM and the Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology. The findings have been reported in the journal Nature Communications. The article is titled “Supramolecular high-aspect ratio assemblies with strong antifungal activity”.
Posted by Tim Sandle
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