Ultra High-Throughput Combinatorial Synthesis of Antimicrobial Polymers by Oxidative Crosslinking of Polyamines with Different Phenolic Compounds

• Applicant: Dr.-Ing. Vania Tanda Widyaya
• Subject Area: Polymer Materials ; Coating and Surface Technology ; Synthesis and Properties of Functional Materials
• Term: since 2022
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 501386634

Antibiotic-resistant bacteria are one of the top ten major threats to global health. The discovery of new antibiotics can take over 10 years and cost more than $1 billion. This project aims to synthesize and screen the antimicrobial properties of bio-based polymers derived from polyamines (Pa) and polyphenols (Pp), two highly promising alternatives to antibiotics, while reducing both time and cost. The strategy involves utilizing ultra high-throughput (HT) oxidative crosslinking between Pa and Pp, resulting in combinatorial arrays of PaPp nanocoatings. The relationships between the polymer structures and their corresponding antimicrobial activities will then be evaluated using machine learning.

• DFG Programme: WBP Position