Ultra selective and high-capacity dummy template molecular imprinted polymer to control quorum sensing and biofilm formation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Here a highly selective molecular imprinting polymer was developed to attenuate biofilm formation of the multidrug-resistant pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa by disrupting the intermolecular signaling system. Firstly, a dummy template molecular imprinting polymer (MIP) was rationally designed through molecular modeling to capture 2-heptyl-3-hydroxy-4-quinolone (Pseudomonas quinolone signal). This multifunctional signaling molecule interferes with the pathogenicity of P. aeruginosa as an auto-inducer. Then, the synthesized MIP and the non-imprinted polymer (NIP) as reference polymer were evaluated for their binding capacity and biofilm inhibition. The results indicated a significant difference in biofilm inhibition (∼56%) between imprinted (∼67%) and non-imprinted (∼11%) polymer, which is an impressive level, especially for the treatment of various surfaces affected by P. aeruginosa. These results open a new window in the special biological application of MIPs as a promising candidate to reduce concerns in clinical or industrial issues by preventing microbial infections.