Nonhemolytic abiogenic polymers as antimicrobial peptide mimics

Cationic, facially amphiphilic poly(m‐phenylene ethynylene)s were used to investigate whether or not simple polymers can mimic the essential biological activity of host defense peptides. The minimal inhibitory concentrations for two bacteria, Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis, were determined and used as models for gram‐negative and gram‐positive bacteria. Hemolytic activity showed that selectivity toward bacterial cells can occur by the control of the hydrophobic balance and the molecular weight of the system.