Antibiotic Surfaces Prevent the Growth of Bacteria Due to the Antibacterial Activity of the Peptide Amphiphile AKK

AKK peptide amphiphile molecules can be attached to substrates in order to prevent the growth of bacteria by killing them on flat and non-flat surfaces. Tests were done to find an effective method to mix and observe the interaction between E. coli ML-35 and the AKK peptide amphiphile molecules, which have a fatty acid tail attached to them. The technique used for monitoring the experiments was ellipsometry. The data collected from the ellipsometer showed mass deposition (thickness) as a function of time. This research will help to accomplish the larger objective of creating antibacterial surfaces that could be used for coating medical devices.