The alarming situation in public healthcare caused by ever‐increasing catastrophe of antimicrobial resistance, recurrent infections, and associated inflammation has accelerated the hunt for novel therapeutics which can address these diverse problems concomitantly. This article introduces a new class of multi‐functional amino acid conjugated small antibacterial molecules (ASAMs) which tackle complicated infections and associated inflammation. These molecules exhibit broad‐spectrum bactericidal activity against multi‐drug‐resistant bacteria. The phenylalanine‐bearing lead molecule (ASAM‐10) tackles bacterial dormant subpopulations, impenetrable biofilms, and intracellular pathogens simultaneously. Importantly, this molecule addresses the problem of toxicity associated with cationic lipopeptides like colistin through the temporal charge switching (cationic to zwitterionic) owing to the degradation of labile ester linkages. However, this does not affect its desired antibacterial action window. The substantial reduction in the overexpression of pro‐inflammatory cytokines (IL‐6, IL‐8, TNF‐α, and IL‐1β) upon treatment of infected macrophages with ASAM‐10 validates its anti‐inflammatory efficacy. Furthermore, bacteria exhibit diminished susceptibility toward resistance development against ASAM‐10 owing to its membrane‐active nature. ASAM‐10 displays significant reduction in bacterial burden (2 Log CFU/g) when administered intraperitoneally in mice for MRSA thigh infection. Overall, this new class of multi‐functional molecules is safe for anticipated advanced therapeutic applications to combat complex bacterial infections and inflammation.

In the current situation of COVID-19 pandemic, the role of surfaces in transmitting pathogens is clearer than ever. Herein, we report an organo-soluble, quaternary antimicrobial paint (QAP) based on polyethyleneimine (PEI) which was coated on a wide range of surfaces such as polyvinylchloride (PVC), nylon, rubber, aluminum. The coating completely killed drug-resistant bacteria. It showed rapid bactericidal properties with complete killing in 45 min of exposure and lowered bacterial adherence, asserting self-sterilizing nature. The coating exhibited complete killing of stationary phase cells of bacteria. The coating killed drug-resistant C. albicans strains. Importantly, QAP coating showed complete killing of influenza virus (H1N1).

An easily administrable hydrogel is developed to take care of bacterial, fungal and viral infection.

Peptidomimetic antimicrobials exhibit a selective interaction with bacterial cells over mammalian cells once they have achieved an optimum amphiphilic balance (hydrophobicity/hydrophilicity) in the molecular architecture. To date, hydrophobicity and cationic...