Can nanoparticles kill bacteria?

Aim

In this project the use of lipid nanoparticles were investigated for delivery and protection of antimicrobial peptides.

Challenge

Due to decades of exposing pathogenic bacteria to non-lethal doses of antibiotics, they have developed a strong resistance against these drug molecules. There is a great need for new and efficient antibacterial drugs and the need will most likely increase in the future.

Solution

The bacterial killing efficiency of the peptide loaded nanoparticles were investigated using in vitro and ex vivo models, as well as the bacterial killing mechanism. Results showed that the nanostructure of the particles strongly affected their bacterial killing efficiency. Particles with a cubic nanostructure (“cubosomes”) were found to be most effective. They protected a protease sensitive antimicrobial peptide (LL-37) from enzymatic degradation, resulting in a significant improved bacterial killing after enzyme exposure, compared to pure peptide.

Effect

A new drug delivery system were designed for antimicrobial peptides, made of lipid nanoparticles, which protected them from enzymatic degradation, resulting in more efficient killing of pathogenic bacteria.