Biocompatible surfaces hold key to a variety of biomedical problems that are directly related to the competition between host-tissue cell integration and bacterial colonisation. A saving solution to this is seen in the ability of cells to uniquely respond to physical cues on such surfaces thus prompting the search for cell-instructive nanoscale patterns. Here we introduce a generic rationale engineered into biocompatible, titanium, substrates to differentiate cell responses. The rationale is inspired by cicada wing surfaces that display bactericidal nanopillar patterns. The surfaces engineered in this study are titania (TiO2) nanowire arrays that are selectively bactericidal against motile bacteria, while capable of guiding mammalian cell proliferation according to the type of the array. The concept holds promise for clinically relevant materials capable of differential physico-mechanical responses to cellular adhesion.

Background: Direct antagonists of native antimicrobial peptide (AMP) sequences are unknown.Results: Complementary antagonistic sequences can co-fold with AMPs into functionally inert assemblies.Conclusion: Antagonists act as anti-AMPs.Significance: The findings offer a molecular rationale for anti-AMP responses with potential implications for antimicrobial resistance.