Nanodot-doped peptide hydrogels for antibacterial phototherapy and wound healing

Bacterial infection of wounds delays the healing process, increases the risk of chronic trauma associated with pain and complications, and offers a breeding ground for drug-resistant bacteria. A rapid and effective eradication of the bacterial species in the wound area is thus important. Herein, we designed a phototherapeutic antibacterial platform based on peptides and copper sulfide nanodots (CuS NDs) for multi-mechanistic eradication of bacteria colonized on the wound surface. The antimicrobial peptide weaves into a network in the form of a hydrogel, which supports CuS NDs to generate heat and produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) under the irradiation of near-infrared light (NIR). The heat and ROS generated