On the surface of it: the role of materials science in developing antifungal therapies and diagnostics

Abstract

Surfaces are often considered to play a passive role in clinical mycology; that is, the outward face of a medical device to which fungal cells attach and form biofilms. However, materials chemistry and nanotechnology are now transforming passive surfaces into active interfaces and driving innovation into antifungal agents, their surface delivery and mechanisms, and diagnostic devices. Beyond technological improvements, there is great opportunity to drive basic research into fungal-surface interactions; however, this can only be accomplished with combined and concerted efforts of materials scientists, polymer chemists and mycologists.