Engineered organic nanoparticles to combat biofilms

Biofilms are colonies of microorganisms that are embedded in autocrine extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), imparting antibiotic resistance and recalcitrant bacterial infection. Nanoparticles (NPs) can enhance the biofilm inhibition and eradication of delivered antibiotics. This is mainly because of enhanced EPS penetration and a high local drug concentration. As we discuss here, novel strategies are being developed to further enhance the antibiofilm capacity of NPs, including size optimization, surface modification, stimuli-triggered release, and combined strategies. Thus, NPs represent an effective and promising approach to combat biofilms.

Automated summary

Biofilms are colonies of microorganisms embedded in extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) that cause antibiotic resistance and persistent bacterial infections. Nanoparticles (NPs) can enhance the inhibition and eradication of biofilms by delivering antibiotics with improved EPS penetration and localized drug concentration. Novel strategies such as size optimization, surface modification, stimuli-triggered release, and combined approaches are being developed to further enhance the antibiofilm capacity of NPs. Therefore, NPs offer an effective and promising approach to combat biofilms.