Antibacterial Polymers Based on Two Orthogonal Binding Motifs Coalesce with Bacterial Matter

Addressing the growing concern about antibiotic-resistant bacteria, we have developed a series of polymers exhibiting intrinsic antibacterial activities with a dual-targeting system that induces physical lysis upon copolymer coalescence with bacterial matter. These polymers are equipped with two orthogonal binding motifs that form electrostatic interactions and dynamic covalent complexes on bacterial surfaces and exhibit potent antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The effect of the chemical composition and architecture of copolymers incorporating phenylboronic acid and quaternary ammonium groups on the antimicrobial activities was systematically examined. This work expands the current chemical repertoire to combat antimicrobial resistance by intrinsically antibacterial polymers with a unique mode of action.