In order to achieve an antibacterial effect, the researchers designed multifunctional peptides – which can bind to cellulose fibers and exhibit antimicrobial activity. Peptides have several advantage compared to larger proteins: They are easier to produce and more stable than proteins, which react more sensitively to the chemical conditions in a wound.

Skin-friendly Membranes

If the cellulose membranes are treated with such a peptide solution, the fiber scaffold will become saturated with peptides. In cell culture experiments, the researchers then showed that the peptide-containing membranes are well tolerated by human skin cells. However, the cellulose membranes were a death sentence for bacteria such as staphylococci, which are often found in poorly healing wounds. "In bacterial cultures, over 99.99 percent of the germs were killed by the peptide-containing membranes," says Maniura.

In future, the antimicrobial membranes will be equipped with additional functions. "The peptides might, for instance, be functionalized with binding sites that enable the controlled release of further therapeutic substances," says Maniura.