“Modified poly(2-oxazoline) systems selectively capturing ions from bacterial cell membranes – a new approach to antibacterial polymers”

Project manager: Dr. Natalia Oleszko-Torbus

Project implementation period: 27.06.2022 – 26.06.2026

The aim of the Project is to obtain new, stable and heavy metal-free antibacterial polymer systems. The research proposes an innovative approach to antibacterial systems by obtaining non-toxic polymers and modifying them in such a way that they are able to bind to specific molecules from the bacterial cell membrane, which causes its destruction. The proposed polymer system will not contain heavy metals in its structure, so that although it will have a destructive effect on bacterial cells, it will also be non-toxic to humans. Such an approach has not been used in research on antibacterial polymers so far.
The research will use poly(2-oxazolines) (POx), non-toxic macromolecules known as an alternative to poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG). POx will be conjugated with specially selected compounds – chelating agents, capable of selectively binding specific ions. As a result of this conjugation, an innovative “polymer-chelating agent” platform will be obtained, capable of capturing cations responsible for stabilizing the bacterial cell membrane. The essence of the research is the appropriate modification of POx and optimization of the conjugation reaction with chelating compounds and designing the properties of the system in such a way that it can selectively bind and remove ions present in the bacterial cell membrane. The ability to capture cations by modified POx will be analyzed in detail in laboratory conditions, because the basic research planned as part of the Project covers the area of ​​polymer chemistry. Model biological studies are also planned using several specific bacterial strains in order to initially assess the usefulness of such polymer systems. Since the aim of the Project is to obtain polymers that are bactericidal and non-allergenic to humans, cytotoxicity tests of the obtained polymer systems against healthy cells will also be carried out. The proposed research, although not directly aimed at practical application, should constitute the basis for the potential use of such modified poly(2-oxazolines) in various branches of medicine. The results of the Project may redefine the approach to antibacterial polymers, and the proposed strategy may be applied to other polymers in the future.