Antibacterial micro/nanomotors: advancing biofilm research to support medical applications

Abstract

Multi-drug resistant (MDR) bacterial infections are gradually increasing in the global scope, causing a serious burden to patients and society. The formation of bacterial biofilms, which is one of the key reasons for antibiotic resistance, blocks antibiotic penetration by forming a physical barrier. Nano/micro motors (MNMs) are micro-/nanoscale devices capable of performing complex tasks in the bacterial microenvironment by transforming various energy sources (including chemical fuels or external physical fields) into mechanical motion or actuation. This autonomous movement provides significant advantages in breaking through biological barriers and accelerating drug diffusion. In recent years, MNMs with high penetrating power have been used as carriers of antibiotics to overcome bacterial biofilms, enabling efficient drug delivery and improving the therapeutic effectiveness of MDR bacterial infections. Additionally, non-antibiotic antibacterial strategies based on nanomaterials, such as photothermal therapy and photodynamic therapy, are continuously being developed due to their non-invasive nature, high effectiveness, and non-induction of resistance. Therefore, multifunctional MNMs have broad prospects in the treatment of MDR bacterial infections. This review discusses the performance of MNMs in the breakthrough and elimination of bacterial biofilms, as well as their application in the field of anti-infection. Finally, the challenges and future development directions of antibacterial MNMs are introduced.

Quaternized Silk Fibroin Nanocarriers Loaded with Chlorin e6 for Photodynamic Elimination of Drug-Resistant Bacteria and Biofilms

“…At present, multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial infections remain a serious public health threat and may have lasting effects on the normal functioning of affected organs. − The common clinical approach to eliminating bacterial infections relies heavily on antibiotic therapy. − However, the therapeutic efficacy is inevitably undermined, and the bacterial resistance has increased with the irrational and indiscriminate use of antibiotics. , In addition, most pathogenic bacteria do not typically exist in the human environment as individual organisms or in planktonic states. Instead, they tend to form populations known as biofilms, making it difficult for small-molecule antimicrobial agents to penetrate effectively and ultimately leading to insensitivity to antimicrobial agents. − Therefore, the development of a new antimicrobial nanomaterial targeting biofilms formed by drug-resistant bacteria is urgently needed.…”