Eumelanin-Enhanced Photothermal Disinfection of Contact Lenses Using a Sustainable Marine Nanoplatform Engineered with Electrospun Nanofibers.
Magdalena BartolewskaAlicja Kosik-KoziołZbigniew KorwekZuzanna KrysiakDevis MontroniMaciej MazurGiuseppe FaliniFilippo PieriniPublished in: Advanced healthcare materials (2024)
Bacterial keratitis (BK) is a severe eye infection commonly associated with Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), posing a significant risk to vision, especially among contact lens wearers. This research introduces a novel smart nanoplatform (deMS@cNF), developed from demineralized mussel shells (deMS) and reinforced with chitin (CT) nanofibrils, specifically designed for portable photothermal disinfection of contact lenses. The nanoplatform leverages the photothermal properties of eumelanin in mussel shells (MS), which, when activated by a simple bike flashlight, rapidly heats to temperatures up to 95 °C, effectively destroying bacterial contamination. In vitro tests demonstrate that the nanoplatform is biocompatible and non-toxic, making it suitable for medical applications. This study highlights an innovative approach to converting marine biowaste into a safe, effective, and low-cost portable method for disinfecting contact lenses, showcasing the potential of the deMS@cNF platform for broader antimicrobial applications.
Keyphrases
- drug release
- photodynamic therapy
- cancer therapy
- low cost
- staphylococcus aureus
- drug delivery
- drinking water
- cataract surgery
- healthcare
- multiple sclerosis
- risk assessment
- computed tomography
- mass spectrometry
- early onset
- ms ms
- magnetic resonance imaging
- human health
- health risk
- ionic liquid
- tissue engineering
- positron emission tomography
- single cell
- cystic fibrosis
- pet ct