We synthesized a series of polymers bearing different functionalities by attaching various chemical modulators to the reactive polymer precursor. Within the project, we optimized the polymerisation conditions that allowed for a robust and efficient method of the synthesis of the precursor polymer.
Having identified limitations of the originally proposed strategy based on the coupling of various chemical modulators to the parent polymer, we exploited the co-functionalisation approach. To obtain a series of polymers with a gradual change in a certain property, we were coupling two modulators taken at different ratios to the precursor polymer at the same time. In this case, the ratio between the modulators determines the property of the resulting polymer. In particular, we synthesized cationic, hydrophobic, and sugar-containing polymers.
Using Vibrio cholerae as a model organism, we explored different types of bacterial responses to the obtained polymeric nanomaterials. To identify the role of charge, hydrophobicity, and selective binding to sugars, we tested the ability of each group of polymers to affect bacterial viability, to induce formation of cell clusters and biofilms. We also explored how cells sense the polymers in terms of gene regulation.
The obtained data suggests that cationic polymers with high charge density at non-toxic concentrations cluster bacteria regardless of the specific chemistry of the charged group. This results in increased biofilm formation. At the same time, polycations with low charge density do not induce biofilm formation.
Our results emphasize the importance of hydrophobic interactions in bacterial binding to substrates and strong response of bacteria to such nanomaterials. Importantly, the revealed ability of hydrophobic polymers to promote biofilm formation was observed for both V. cholerae and E .coli species. However, the mechanisms underlying this effect requires further studies.
For the sugar-containing polymers, we observed short-lived interactions without formation of stable clusters and any significant effect on biofilm formation and regulation of genes associated with virulence and biofilms.
The results were disseminated in a scientific journal that ensures open access and in multiple national and international conferences in relevant areas. Owing to the interdisciplinary nature of this project, the results were presented to different audiences, including scientific community, industry representatives, and journal editors in polymer science, microbiology, biomaterials, chemical biology, as well as general public.
