Stay on target
New artificial enzymes could one day help combat infections and rid public spaces of harmful germs.
Researchers at Australia’s RMIT University developed what they call “NanoZymes,” which use visible light to create highly reactive oxygen species that rapidly break down and kill bacteria.
“For a number of years, we have been attempting to develop artificial enzymes that can fight bacteria, while also offering opportunities to control bacterial infections using external ‘triggers’ and ‘stimuli,'” according to lead researcher Vipul Bansal, director of RMIT’s NanoBioSensing Facility.
“Now we have finally cracked it.”
Made from tiny nanorods—1,000 times smaller than the thickness of a human hair—NanoZymes combine light with moisture to cause a biochemical reaction that breaks down pathogens.
By simply illuminating the macromolecular catalyst, researchers found that the activity of their NanoZymes increased 20 fold, “forming holes in bacterial cells and killing them efficiently.”
The breakthrough, Bansal said, offers a major advantage over organic methods.
“Nature’s antibacterial activity does not respond to external triggers such as light,” he explained.
And while NanoZymes currently rely on the synthetic glow of a flashlight or similar source, scientists hope their system can one day activate via sunlight.
“This next generation of nanomaterials are likely to offer new opportunities in bacteria-free surfaces and controlling spread of infections in public hospitals,” Bansal said.
The solution—aimed at viruses like E. coli and Golden Staph—can be sprayed onto surfaces or mixed with paints, ceramics, and other materials for germ-free walls and counters in hospitals.
Particularly virulent strains of E. coli can cause gastroenteritis, urinary tract infection, neonatal meningitis, hemorrhagic colitis, and Crohn’s disease; Golden Staph is a common source of skin and respiratory infections, pneumonia, endocarditis, toxic shock syndrome, and sepsis.
Already proven under the synthetic glow of a laboratory, NanoZymes are ready for the real world; the team is evaluating their long-term performance in consumer products.
“The next step will be to validate the bacteria-killing and wound-healing ability of these NanoZymes outside of the lab,” Bansal said. “This NanoZyme technology has huge potential, and we are seeking interest from appropriate industries for joint product development.”
Dive deeper into the wonderful world of NanoZymes in a paper recently published in the journal ACS Applied Nano Materials.
Let us know what you like about Geek by taking our survey.