Besieging the Biofilm: Polymer-based Systems to combat pathogenic Biofilms

Microbial biofilms have become a pressing issue in hopsital settings are massively contribute to the number of hosptal acquired infections. Common antibiotics often fail to eradicate biofilms, due to high intrinsic antibiotic resistance and shielding effects of the matrix. Novel systems are needed to overcome the many challenges posed to healthcare by biofilms. This thesis aims to expand the toolbox of polymer-based antimicrobial systems, using surface coatings and nanoparticles we besiege the castle bacteria build during their infectious cycle and aim to tear down its walls.