Antimicrobial Functionalization\nof Surfaces by a Chimeric\nAdhesive Protein

The main aim of this\nwork is to account for the prevention\nand\ncontrol of microbial growth on surfaces of interest in medical technology.\nSurface modification is often achieved by physiotherapy or chemical\ntreatments that can involve time-consuming steps, hazardous reagents,\nand harsh conditions. One of the ways to overcome these drawbacks\nis the use of surface-active proteins such as hydrophobins. They can\nform stable protein layers on different surfaces, serving as anchoring\npoints for other molecules of interest. The fungal hydrophobin Vmh2,\nalready exploited for its adhesive ability, has been fused with the\nantimicrobial peptide GKY20, forming the chimeric protein used herein\nfor functionalizing polystyrene (PS) and bacterial cellulose (BC).\nAs a natural biomass, BC has multiple advantages, including biodegradability,\nlow cost, renewability, high purity, and excellent mechanical properties.\nThe chimeric protein has been proven to successfully adhere to both\nsurfaces. A strong decrease in biofilm formation on PS and a good\nbactericidal effect of BC have been demonstrated. These findings provide\nevidence of an alternative strategy to obtain functional composites\nusing a green, easy process.