Single Copper Atom Photocatalyst Powers an Integrated Catalytic Cascade for Drug-Resistant Bacteria Elimination

To address the issue posed by drug-resistant bacteria and inspired by natural antimicrobial enzymes, we report the atomically doped copper on guanine-derived nanosheets (G–Cu) that possess the integrated catalytic cascade property of glucose oxidase and peroxidase, yielding free radicals to eliminate drug-resistant bacteria upon light irradiation. Density functional theory calculations demonstrate that copper could notably promote oxygen activation and H2O2 splitting on the G–Cu complexes. Further all-atom simulation and experimental data indicate that the lysis of bacteria is mainly induced by cell membrane damage and the elevation of intracellular reactive oxygen species. Lastly, the G–Cu complexes efficiently eliminate the staphylococci in the infected wounds and accelerate their closure in a murine model, with negligible side effects on the normal tissues. Therefore, our G–Cu complexes may provide an efficient nonantibiotic alternative to the current treatments for bacterial infections.