Functional fluorescent nanomaterials for the detection, diagnosis and control of bacterial infection and biofilm formation: Insight towards mechanistic aspects and advanced applications

• Published in: Colloids and surfaces, B, Biointerfaces Vol. 232; p. 113583
• Main Authors: Sharma, Chandni, Verma, Mohini, Abidi, Syed M.S., Shukla, Ashish K., Acharya, Amitabha
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.12.2023
• Subjects: Antibacterial activity; Antibiofilm activity; Bioimaging; Biosensing; Functional fluorescent nanomaterials; Functional fluorescent nanomaterials; Bioimaging; Antibacterial activity; Antibiofilm activity; Biosensing
• ISSN: 0927-7765; 1873-4367
• DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2023.113583

Infectious diseases resulting from the high pathogenic potential of several bacteria possesses a major threat to human health and safety. Traditional methods used for screening of these microorganisms face major issues with respect to detection time, selectivity and specificity which may delay treatment for critically ill patients past the optimal time. Thus, a convincing and essential need exists to upgrade the existing methodologies for the fast detection of bacteria. In this context, increasing number of newly emerging nanomaterials (NMs) have been discovered for their effective use and applications in the area of diagnosis in bacterial infections. Recently, functional fluorescent nanomaterials (FNMs) are extensively explored in the field of biomedical research, particularly in developing new diagnostic tools, nanosensors, specific imaging modalities and targeted drug delivery systems for bacterial infection. It is interesting to note that organic fluorophores and fluorescent proteins have played vital role for imaging and sensing technologies for long, however, off lately fluorescent nanomaterials are increasingly replacing these due to the latter’s unprecedented fluorescence brightness, stability in the biological environment, high quantum yield along with high sensitivity due to enhanced surface property etc. Again, taking advantage of their photo-excitation property, these can also be used for either photothermal and photodynamic therapy to eradicate bacterial infection and biofilm formation. Here, in this review, we have paid particular attention on summarizing literature reports on FNMs which includes studies detailing fluorescence-based bacterial detection methodologies, antibacterial and antibiofilm applications of the same. It is expected that the present review will attract the attention of the researchers working in this field to develop new engineered FNMs for the comprehensive diagnosis and treatment of bacterial infection and biofilm formation. [Display omitted] •Detailed description on different functional fluorescent nanomaterials (FNM).•The role of FNMs in bacterial pathogen detection and biofilm eradication discussed.•Comprehensive discussion on different mechanistic approach used by the FNMs.•Discussions on using FNMs as anti-microbial coating agents in medical devices.•Critical discussions on the market potential of FNMs as nano-antibiotics.