Recent advances in nanoparticle-mediated antibacterial applications

Misuse and overuse of antibiotics led us vulnerable to multi-drug resistant (MDR) bacteria, biofilms, and intracellular infections. The failure of conventional antibiotics thus gives rise to numerous novel nanotherapeutics such as dynamic therapies, immuno- and gene therapies, antibiotic and peptide delivery. These alternative therapies could save humanity from severe infectious diseases. Henceforth, a critical review is much needed to timely abridge the progress and challenges of these nanotherapeutics. This review initially aims to describe the mechanisms behind multi-drug resistance and its devastating effects on human health. Later, a discussion has been made on why conventional antibiotics are failed and how the scientific fraternity has come forward to deliver nanoparticle (NP)-based new technologies to eradicate bacterial infections. These methods are new and need rigorous attention for advancement. Apart from bacteriology, these modalities can perform well in cancer biology and other biomedical fields as well. Thus, a topical review of such nano-therapies could open new avenues in numerous branches of biomedical engineering under a wider spectrum, which may evolve new ideas and directions. We hope this review will inspire and motivate researchers to develop novel nanomaterials for antibacterial activity and bring sustainable clinical success against MDR bacteria in the coming years.