biostudies-literatureAsokan-Sheeja HNICHD NIH HHSNational Institutes of HealthNational Science Foundation6415-6425https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC12922601biostudies-literatureUnknown8(7)Biofilm formation presents a significant challenge in chronic infections as it enables bacteria to resist conventional antibiotics and thrive in various areas of the body. The treatment is further hurdled by the acidic environment of biofilms due to anaerobic glycolysis of bacteria and the accumulation of acidic byproducts. Therefore, there is a need for the development of antimicrobial materials that can selectively and preferentially eradicate biofilms in the acidic environment. Toward this aim, this study explores the use of acid-responsive double-network peptide-polymer hydrogels encapsulated with antimicrobial peptides to effectively target and disrupt biofilms. The hydrogel consists of two essential components: a self-assembling peptide nanofiber containing a non-natural ionic amino ACS applied bio materialspH-Responsive Peptide-Polymer Hydrogel for Biofilm Disruption.PMC12922601R01HD097330R21HD107324DMR 1341925DMR 2425164R01 HD097330R21 HD107324Mukut MTHHong YDong HDas DNguyen JNBuonomo JAChau THXu JAsokan-Sheeja HfalsepH-Responsive Peptide-Polymer Hydrogel for Biofilm Disruption.Biofilm formation presents a significant challenge in chronic infections as it enables bacteria to resist conventional antibiotics and thrive in various areas of the body. The treatment is further hurdled by the acidic environment of biofilms due to anaerobic glycolysis of bacteria and the accumulation of acidic byproducts. Therefore, there is a need for the development of antimicrobial materials that can selectively and preferentially eradicate biofilms in the acidic environment. Toward this aim, this study explores the use of acid-responsive double-network peptide-polymer hydrogels encapsulated with antimicrobial peptides to effectively target and disrupt biofilms. The hydrogel consists of two essential components: a self-assembling peptide nanofiber containing a non-natural ionic amino 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z2025 Jul2026-07-16T12:55:02.916Z2026-07-10T03:09:26.501ZS-EPMC129226014061967710.1021/acsabm.5c00897