Construction of Inorganic-Organic Hybrid Materials and Application as Antibacterials

Bacterial infections and resistance have been one of the greatest challenges hunting the public health sector and even the world. Although antibiotics are widely used, traditional therapies have not been able to deal with this menace facing humans totally and effectively. Bacterial infections can spread much faster from the site of infection to other parts of the body and can even adhere to surfaces of medical implants and medical equipment. In this manner, they proliferate and further develop into biofilm through complex forms of communications, at this point making them enormous and persistent against diverse harsh environments or means of eradication. Therefore, it is essential to develop a novel material with a long-term antibacterial ability that can prevent infections, adhesions, and bacterial growth. Inorganic-organic hybrid materials are regarded as promising candidates for antibacterial application. The hybrid strategy allows the modification of an inorganic host with functional organic molecules, combines moieties of inorganic and organic origins, and synergizes favorable properties from different components. The hybrid materials may possess special stability, flexibility, and functionality in mechanical, structural, and thermal properties, outperforming either an inorganic or organic material alone.

This Research Topic will deal with all kinds of inorganic and organic hybrid materials with synergism demonstrating potential antibacterial effects against all forms of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria both in vitro and in vivo. The reports should describe the synthesis process of the hybrid material, demonstrate the synergistic property, and explain the physiological/molecular/morphological impact of the hybrid material on the bacterial structure. Research on cytotoxicity and biosafety of the hybrid material both in vitro and in vivo are also encouraged. Reports on singly synthesized materials will not be accepted, and hybrid materials with synergistic roles but effective in tumor-related areas should not be submitted.

The goal of this Research Topic is to explore and develop some multifunctional inorganic-organic hybrid materials in the field of antibacterial applications, and to overcome the current shortage of antibiotics. Meanwhile, new antibacterial drugs and antibacterial strategies are provided for clinical anti-infective treatment. We welcome the submission of Original Research, Review, Mini-Review, and Opinion articles that cover different aspects of antibacterial applications of inorganic or organic materials, which include but are not limited to:
• Antibacterial applications of metal-based nano/micro materials;
• Antibacterial activity of organic small molecules and polymer;
• Inorganic-organic hybrid hydrogel and fiber materials for antibacterial and anti-infective therapy;
• Antibacterial mechanism of natural products and metal ions;
• Structure-activity relationship between metal complexes and antibacterial activity.