Review of light activated antibacterial nanomaterials in the second biological window

Abstract Bacterial infections continue to pose a major threat to public health, contributing to high mortality rates worldwide. The growing ineffectiveness of conventional antibiotics has created an urgent need for alternative solutions. Nanomaterials (NMs) have emerged as a promising approach to co...

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Main Authors: Suresh Thangudu, Chia-Hao Su
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-04-01
Series:Journal of Nanobiotechnology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12951-025-03333-x
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author Suresh Thangudu
Chia-Hao Su
author_facet Suresh Thangudu
Chia-Hao Su
author_sort Suresh Thangudu
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Bacterial infections continue to pose a major threat to public health, contributing to high mortality rates worldwide. The growing ineffectiveness of conventional antibiotics has created an urgent need for alternative solutions. Nanomaterials (NMs) have emerged as a promising approach to combating bacterial infections due to their unique physicochemical properties, and extensive research has been conducted to address this crisis, yielding notable results. However, challenges such as limited light absorption and inherent cytotoxicity remain significant concerns. Furthermore, the clinical adoption of single-mode phototherapy is often restricted by the shallow tissue penetration of traditional light sources. The second biological window (NIR-II, 950–1450 nm) offers a groundbreaking opportunity for therapeutic and diagnostic applications by enabling deeper tissue penetration. As a result, growing research efforts are dedicated to developing NIR-II activated photosensitizers and nanomaterials to overcome challenges such as poor light absorption, limited tissue penetration, and suboptimal activation. Despite significant advancements, a comprehensive review of antibacterial nanomaterials specifically designed for the NIR-II window is still lacking in literature. This review aims to fill that gap by discussing the latest advancements, challenges, and potential of light-activated antibacterial nanomaterials within the BW-II region. The goal is to enhance understanding and guide the development of more efficient nanomaterials for future biomedical and clinical applications.
format Article
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spelling doaj-art-da4d0747f4c64f9990cc55da0be26e242025-08-20T02:24:30ZengBMCJournal of Nanobiotechnology1477-31552025-04-0123112610.1186/s12951-025-03333-xReview of light activated antibacterial nanomaterials in the second biological windowSuresh Thangudu0Chia-Hao Su1Center for General Education, Chang Gung UniversityCenter for General Education, Chang Gung UniversityAbstract Bacterial infections continue to pose a major threat to public health, contributing to high mortality rates worldwide. The growing ineffectiveness of conventional antibiotics has created an urgent need for alternative solutions. Nanomaterials (NMs) have emerged as a promising approach to combating bacterial infections due to their unique physicochemical properties, and extensive research has been conducted to address this crisis, yielding notable results. However, challenges such as limited light absorption and inherent cytotoxicity remain significant concerns. Furthermore, the clinical adoption of single-mode phototherapy is often restricted by the shallow tissue penetration of traditional light sources. The second biological window (NIR-II, 950–1450 nm) offers a groundbreaking opportunity for therapeutic and diagnostic applications by enabling deeper tissue penetration. As a result, growing research efforts are dedicated to developing NIR-II activated photosensitizers and nanomaterials to overcome challenges such as poor light absorption, limited tissue penetration, and suboptimal activation. Despite significant advancements, a comprehensive review of antibacterial nanomaterials specifically designed for the NIR-II window is still lacking in literature. This review aims to fill that gap by discussing the latest advancements, challenges, and potential of light-activated antibacterial nanomaterials within the BW-II region. The goal is to enhance understanding and guide the development of more efficient nanomaterials for future biomedical and clinical applications.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12951-025-03333-xNanomaterialsNIR-II biological windowPhototherapyCombination therapyAntibacterial activityWound healing
spellingShingle Suresh Thangudu
Chia-Hao Su
Review of light activated antibacterial nanomaterials in the second biological window
Journal of Nanobiotechnology
Nanomaterials
NIR-II biological window
Phototherapy
Combination therapy
Antibacterial activity
Wound healing
title Review of light activated antibacterial nanomaterials in the second biological window
title_full Review of light activated antibacterial nanomaterials in the second biological window
title_fullStr Review of light activated antibacterial nanomaterials in the second biological window
title_full_unstemmed Review of light activated antibacterial nanomaterials in the second biological window
title_short Review of light activated antibacterial nanomaterials in the second biological window
title_sort review of light activated antibacterial nanomaterials in the second biological window
topic Nanomaterials
NIR-II biological window
Phototherapy
Combination therapy
Antibacterial activity
Wound healing
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12951-025-03333-x
work_keys_str_mv AT sureshthangudu reviewoflightactivatedantibacterialnanomaterialsinthesecondbiologicalwindow
AT chiahaosu reviewoflightactivatedantibacterialnanomaterialsinthesecondbiologicalwindow