Gel Kills Bacteria By Tearing Down Walls

Jan-26-13 Researchers at IBM have developed an antimicrobial hydrogel able to penetrate biofilms and kill bacteria through a physical attack, which prevents the bacteria from evolving a resistance.

The hydrogel, made of 90 percent water mixed with biodegradable, positively charged polymers, will form a thick gel when warmed. When the gel is applied to a wound or countertop the polymers attach to the cell wall of the bacteria and rip it open, which destroys the bacteria by membrane disruption. The bacteria are unable to develop a resistance to this sort of attack. The gel is also able to penetrate the thick biofilms created by the colonies of bacteria, which can be difficult to remove by traditional methods.

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