Photomodulation of bacterial growth and biofilm formation using carbohydrate-based surfactants.

Naturally occurring and synthetic carbohydrate amphiphiles have emerged as a promising class of antimicrobial and antiadhesive agents that act through a number of dynamic and often poorly understood mechanisms. In this paper, we provide the first report on the application of azobenzene - photoisomerization for effecting spatial and temporal control over bacterial growth and biofilm formation using carbohydrate-based surfactants. Photocontrollable surface tension studies and small angle neutron scattering (SANS) revealed the diverse geometries and dimensions of self-assemblies (micelles) made possible through variation of the head group and UV-visible light irradiation. Using these light-addressable amphiphiles, we demonstrate optical control over the antibacterial activity and formation of biofilms against multi-drug resistant (MDR) , methicillin-resistant (MRSA) and Gram-negative . To probe the mechanism of bioactivity further, we evaluated the impact of - photoisomerization in these surfactants on bacterial motility and revealed photomodulated enhancement in swarming motility in . These light-responsive amphiphiles should attract significant interest as a new class of antibacterial agents and as investigational tools for probing the complex mechanisms underpinning bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation.