Phenylboronic acid-modified carbon dot-proteinase K nanohybrids for enhanced photodynamic therapy against bacterial biofilm infections.

Nanohybrids combining phenylboronic acid-modified carbon dots (PCDs) and proteinase K have been engineered for addressing the formidable challenges of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) against bacterial biofilm infections, overcoming biofilm barrier obstruction, the limited diffusion of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and the inadequate ROS generation of traditional photosensitizers. PCDs are formulated for superior water solubility and robust singlet oxygen (O) production, mitigating issues related to dispersion and aggregation-induced quenching typical of conventional photosensitizers. The conjugation of phenylboronic acid to CDs not only enhanced O generation through increased electron-hole separation but also imparted strong bacterial binding capabilities to the PCDs, enabling broad-spectrum sterilization by maximizing the ROS-mediated bacterial destruction.