Better infection control can accelerate wound healing and reduce related healthcare burdens. Traditional antibacterial dressings often fail to control infections adequately and can unintentionally contribute to antibacterial resistance.
Our research introduces a dual-functional living dressing that autonomously generates antibacterial agents and delivers electrical stimulation by harnessing spore-forming Bacillus subtilis. The system is built on an innovative wearable microbial fuel cell (MFC) framework that uses B. subtilis endospores as a powerful dormant biocatalyst. These resilient endospores reactivate in nutrient-rich wound exudate, producing electricity and antibacterial compounds while helping B. subtilis outcompete pathogens for nutrients and other resources.
The strategy is further enhanced by the extracellular synthesis of tin oxide and copper oxide nanoparticles on the endospore surface, which strengthens both antibacterial action and electrical stimulation. In addition, the MFC framework incorporates a conductive hydrogel embedded in a paper-based substrate, helping maintain cell stability and a moist environment that supports healing.
Our approach has shown strong effectiveness against three major biofilm-forming pathogens—Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus—with excellent performance in both in vitro and ex vivo models. This innovation represents a significant advance in wearable MFC-based wound care and offers a promising strategy for the treatment of infected wounds.
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