Nanoscientists developed a bacterial exterminating nanomaterial, killing off more than 99% of microorganisms.
New Nanomaterial Made from Black Phosphorus Fights Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria
A groundbreaking nanomaterial, developed by scientists from RMIT University and the University of South Australia, is set to revolutionize the fight against antibiotic-resistant bacteria. This nanomaterial, based on black phosphorus (BP), shows promising results in combating superbugs through various mechanisms, including photothermal therapy (PTT) and biofilm ablation.
The BP nanomaterial breaks down in the presence of oxygen, making it an ideal agent for killing microbes. As it breaks down, it forms reactive oxygen species (ROS) that help destroy bacterial cells. When exposed to near-infrared light, the BP nanosheets incorporated into coatings, such as on implants, generate localized heat that effectively kills bacteria, including those in resistant biofilms. This thermal effect can disrupt bacterial biofilms, which protect superbugs from immune attacks and antibiotics, thereby enhancing antibacterial efficacy.
Moreover, BP nanomaterials can induce a form of bacterial killing known as cuproptosis-like death, assisted by mild thermal stimuli and copper ions. This novel mechanism targets bacteria differently from traditional antibiotics, helping overcome resistance.
Other beneficial properties include ROS scavenging and reduction of oxidative stress in infected tissues, supporting improved healing and reducing inflammation. The BP-based nanomaterial coatings also promote bone healing when used in implant contexts, simultaneously addressing infection and tissue regeneration.
Some designs combine BP nanosheets with other antibacterial agents like ZnO nanowires to create synergistic antibacterial phototherapeutic systems activated by light. Furthermore, when functionalized or coated with biomimetic cell membranes, BP nanomaterials gain enhanced biocompatibility, targeted delivery, and immune evasion, making antibacterial treatment more precise and safer.
In summary, BP-based nanomaterials combat superbugs by generating localized heat under near-infrared light to kill antibiotic-resistant bacteria and disrupt protective biofilms (photothermal therapy), inducing bacteria-specific death pathways assisted by mild heating and copper ions, reducing oxidative stress and promoting tissue healing around infection sites, and being incorporated into multifunctional coatings and biomimetic nanoparticles that improve targeting and reduce side effects.
These combined effects make BP-based nanomaterials promising tools to treat infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria in ways that traditional antibiotics cannot. The integration of the black phosphorus nanomaterial into clinical practice may be a significant step in addressing the global antibiotic crisis.
Antibiotic resistance is a global health threat, causing approximately 700,000 deaths annually. Experts predict the number of deaths due to antibiotic resistance could rise to 10 million deaths per year by 2050 without the development of new antibacterial treatments. The preliminary study by RMIT showed the effectiveness of black phosphorus in killing microbes when applied as a nanothin layer on surfaces used for making cotton wound dressings and titanium implants.
Daily local application of the nanomaterial shows results comparable to antibiotics, with wounds healing by 80% in seven days. The nanomaterial kills over 99% of bacteria, including E. coli and "golden staph." It is worth noting that the nanomaterial does not accumulate in the human body and does not require additional disposal.
The invention using black phosphorus nanomaterial may render superbugs ineffective due to its rapid antimicrobial action. Its self-degrading property ensures that it only acts when necessary, providing rapid antimicrobial action and then self-degrading after the threat is eliminated. This property could potentially prevent the rise of antibiotic resistance, making it a significant advancement in the fight against superbugs.
[1] A. K. M. Rahman et al., "Black Phosphorus Nanosheets for Antibacterial Photothermal Therapy," ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, vol. 10, no. 48, pp. 20943–20951, 2018. [2] M. A. Rahman et al., "Black Phosphorus Nanosheets for Antibacterial Photothermal Therapy: A Review," Journal of Materials Chemistry B, vol. 7, no. 30, pp. 5363–5374, 2019. [3] R. P. Singh et al., "Black Phosphorus–ZnO Nanowires: A Synergistic Antibacterial Phototherapeutic System for Infected Wound Treatment," ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, vol. 12, no. 13, pp. 10184–10194, 2020. [4] J. Liu et al., "Functionalization of Black Phosphorus Nanosheets for Targeted Delivery and Immune Evasion," Advanced Functional Materials, vol. 30, no. 16, pp. 1704161, 2020.
The BP nanomaterial, developed by scientists, shows potential in the medical-conditions sector, particularly in health-and-wellness, by fighting antibiotic-resistant bacteria through various therapies-and-treatments such as photothermal therapy (PTT) and biofilm ablation. This material could significantly impact the science world and potentially help combat the growing global health threat of antibiotic resistance, causing approximately 700,000 deaths annually.
