Function Oriented Molecular Design: Dendrimers as Novel Antimicrobials

Molecules. 2017 Sep 21;22(10):1581. doi: 10.3390/molecules22101581.

Abstract

In recent years innovative nanostructures are attracting increasing interest and, among them, dendrimers have shown several fields of application. Dendrimers can be designed and modified in plentiful ways giving rise to hundreds of different molecules with specific characteristics and functionalities. Biomedicine is probably the field where these molecules find extraordinary applicability, and this is probably due to their multi-valency and to the fact that several other chemicals can be coupled to them to obtain desired compounds. In this review we will describe the different production strategies and the tools and technologies for the study of their characteristics. Finally, we provide a panoramic overview of their applications to meet biomedical needs, especially their use as novel antimicrobials.

Keywords: antibacterial; antimicrobial; antiparasitic; antiviral; delivery; dendrimers; preparation; structure.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / chemistry
  • Anti-Infective Agents / chemistry*
  • Antiviral Agents / chemistry
  • Dendrimers / chemistry*
  • Nanostructures / chemistry

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Anti-Infective Agents
  • Antiviral Agents
  • Dendrimers