Antimicrobial peptide-conjugated graphene oxide membrane for efficient removal and effective killing of multiple drug resistant bacteria

Abstract

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), multiple drug-resistant (MDR) bacterial infection is a top threat to human health. Since bacteria evolve to resist antibiotics faster than scientists can develop new classes of drugs, the development of new materials which can be used, not only for separation, but also for effective disinfection of drug resistant pathogens is urgent. Driven by this need, we report for the first time the development of a nisin antimicrobial peptide conjugated, three dimensional (3D) porous graphene oxide membrane for identification, effective separation, and complete disinfection of MDR methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) pathogens from water. Experimental data show that due to the size differences, MRSA is captured by the porous membrane, allowing only water to pass through. SEM, TEM, and fluorescence images confirm that pathogens are captured by the membrane. RT-PCR data with colony counting indicate that almost 100% of MRSA can be removed and destroyed from the water sample using the developed membrane. Comparison of MDR killing data between nisin alone, the graphene oxide membrane and the nisin attached graphene oxide membrane demonstrate that the nisin antimicrobial peptide attached graphene oxide membrane can dramatically enhance the possibility of destroying MRSA via a synergestic effect due to the multimodal mechanism.

Bio-Conjugated CNT-Bridged 3D Porous Graphene Oxide Membrane for Highly Efficient Disinfection of Pathogenic Bacteria and Removal of Toxic Metals from Water

“…16–25 Engineered graphene-material-based membranes have demonstrated significant potential for broad use in a variety of water treatment applications. 26–33 Because two-dimensional (2D) graphene oxide (GO) has plenty of hydrophobic basal plane and hydrophilic oxygen-containing groups on the surface, 34–39 we have developed three-dimensional (3D) graphene oxide based membrane via covalent functionalized using one-dimensional (1D) carbon nanotobe (CNT).…”

Separation and purification using GO and r-GO membranes

“…As a result, GO had a stronger antibacterial ability than that of r-GO because the membrane structure of GO akes can destroy the structure of bacteria cells. Kanchanapally et al 103 were rst to utilize nisin, which is an antimicrobials agent including many -NH 2 groups, to combine with GO sheets. They were successful to prepare a novel 3D porous antibacterial membrane.…”

Multivalent Interactions between 2D Nanomaterials and Biointerfaces

“…Compared with nonspecific interactions, specific targeting is more efficient for the capture or detection of bacteria. Such targeting can be achieved by conjugating specific moieties, including antibodies, aptamers, and sugars . Antibodies can be adsorbed onto the graphene basal plane via physical interactions to avoid potential denaturation or deactivation .…”