International Business Machines Corporation

University of Illinois

Agency for Science, Technology and Research

Jiayu Leong

James L Hedrick

Yi Yan Yang

Nathaniel H Park

Chuan Yang

Xin Ding

Jye Yng Teo

Cherylette Anne Alexander

Yiran Zhen

Hyunjoon Kong

Yongbeom Seo

Yu-Heng Deng

Agnes Mari Kuroki

Wei Ping Eddy Tan

A water-soluble polymer having an aliphatic polycarbonate backbone, a first carbonate monomer with at least one hydrophilic functionality, and a second carbonate monomer with at least one hydrophobic functionality is able to completely and quickly eliminate a virus from a human and/or animal cell. The at least one hydrophilic functionality is a sulfate, a sulfonate, a carboxylate, and/or a phosphate and the at least one hydrophobic functionality is an alkyl. The hydrophilic/hydrophobic functionalities of the polymer may be tuned to enhance the antiviral properties of the polymer and/or to decrease any cytotoxicity associated with the application of the polymer to a human and/or animal cell. The antiviral polymer is biocompatible and biodegradable.

Biocompatible and biodegradable antiviral polymers

Techniques regarding a chemical composition that can be utilized within one or more combination therapies to treat a microbial infection are provided. For example, one or more embodiments described herein can comprise a chemical composition that includes a first triblock polymer comprising a quaternary ammonium functionalized polycarbonate block and exhibiting anticancer activity via a lytic mechanism. The chemical composition can also include a second triblock polymer comprising a guanidinium functionalized polycarbonate block and exhibiting anticancer activity via a translocation mechanism.

Combination therapies that enhance antimicrobial/anticancer activities

Diatom microbubblers comprising diatom biosilica or other silica linked to a catalyst for the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide, such as manganese oxide (MnO), platinum (Pt), CuO (copper II oxide), or zinc peroxide (ZnO) particles or nanosheets, or catalase are provided. Further provided are methods of reducing or eliminating biofilm or biofouling conditions.

Diatom microbubbler for biofilm removal

Growing community of inventors

Singapore, Singapore

Jiayu Leong