journal article·2026-05

Chemically Reprogramming Liquid Metals With Polyphenols for a Self‐Reinforcing Assault on Biofilms

Yiyan Yang, Linjun Zhang, Jianhua Zhang, Rong Zhang, Hengjie Zhang, Maoyun Li, Zhipeng Gu, Yiwen Li, Lei Yang

Small· Volume 22· Issue 26
Publisher page

Abstract

ABSTRACT The physical eradication of bacterial biofilms is fundamentally limited by rapid post‐treatment regeneration. A strategy that integrates physical destruction with biological suppression is therefore highly coveted. Herein, we introduce a strategy to chemically reprogram magnetic liquid metals (LMs) into intelligent antibiofilm nanocomposites. Through a one‐step metal‐phenolic coordination, we coat the LM with a natural polyphenol (baicalin, BA), creating a nanoplatform (MBA) that executes a synergistic “destroy‐and‐pacify” mission. This design establishes a self‐reinforcing loop: magnetic actuation provides the mechanical force to breach the biofilm matrix, enhancing the penetration of the BA coating. Concurrently, the BA‐mediated inhibition of quorum sensing and EPS synthesis pre‐weakens the biofilm, making it more susceptible to physical ablation. This reciprocal potentiation leads to exceptional efficacy, more than doubling the clearance efficiency of mature P. aeruginosa biofilms on implants in a murine model and achieving a level of eradication unattainable by monotherapies. This work establishes a new paradigm for designing smart theranostic microrobots, paving the way for programmable platforms to tackle complex biological barriers.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline

Research context

OpenAlex topics: Bacterial biofilms and quorum sensing · Micro and Nano Robotics · Pickering emulsions and particle stabilization

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

College of Polymer Science and Engineering State Key Laboratory of Advanced Polymer Materials Sichuan University Chengdu China

School of Aeronautics and Astronautics Sichuan University Chengdu China

Funding

National Natural Science Foundation of China · Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation of Guangdong Province · Natural Science Foundation of Sichuan Province

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