Extracellular‐DNA‐Targeting Nanomaterial for Effective Elimination of Biofilm

Abstract The inherent resistance of Staphylococcus aureus biofilm to antibiotics demands a novel paradigm in antibiofilm therapeutics. An albumin‐based nanocarrier loaded with an amphiphilic cargo (C1‐HNC) described herein renders facile release of the payload in the biofilm matrix, which subsequently cleaves extracellular DNA (eDNA) and mounts a concurrent attack on underlying cells, resulting in dramatic annihilation of S. aureus biofilm. Significant cleavage of S. aureus biofilm eDNA is manifested upon treatment with C1‐HNC and, in comparison with the therapeutic enzyme DNase, C1‐HNC exhibits superior activity against S. aureus biofilm. Interestingly, C1‐HNC is nontoxic to a model human cell line. By virtue of its potent activity against eDNA and the underlying cells, the nontoxic nanomaterial is a promising therapeutic material against biofilm.