Antimicrobial peptides enable an alternate approach to developing
antimicrobial coatings due to their targeting of the membranes of the
bacteria.
High specific activity is achieved by orienting the peptides so that the
antimicrobial ends of the peptides maximally contact the
bacteria. In one embodiment, one end of the
peptide is covalently attached directly to the substrate. In another embodiment, the peptides are immobilized on the substrate using a
coupling agent or tether. Non-covalent methods include
coating the
peptide onto the substrate or physiochemically immobilizing the peptides on the substrate using highly specific interactions, such as the
biotin /
avidin or
streptavidin system. The compositions are substantially non-leaching, antifouling, and non-hemolytic. The immobilized peptides retain sufficient flexibility and mobility to interact with and de endocytosed by the
bacteria, viruses, and / or fungi upon
exposure. Immobilizing the peptides to the substrate reduces concerns regarding
toxicity of the peptides and the development of
antimicrobial resistance, while presenting substantially all of the
peptide at the
site of action at the surface of the substrate.