Photodynamic Inactivation (PDI) and Photothermal Therapy (PTT) are reliable platforms to eliminate multi-drug resistant pathogens.

Conjugated polymers (CPs) have emerged as a powerful class of materials used in photo-therapies.

A summary of the nature of CPs, including their basic photophysics, energy transfer process and antenna effect is described.

Antibacterial materials based on CPs for PDI, PTT and the combined therapy are reviewed.

The discussion about critical parameters required for a standard protocol in CPs based photo-therapies is highlighted.

Each year a rising number of infections can not be successfully treated owing to the increasing pandemic of antibiotic resistant pathogens. The global shortage of innovative antibiotics fuels the emergence and spread of drug resistant microbes. Basic research, development, and applications of alternative therapies are urgently needed. Since the 90´s, light-mediated therapies have promised to be the next frontier combating multidrug-resistance microbes. These platforms have demonstrated to be a reliable, rapid, and efficient alternative to eliminate tenacious pathogens while avoiding the emergence of resistance mechanisms. Among the materials showing antimicrobial activity triggered by light, conjugated polymers (CPs) have risen as the most promising option to tackle this complex situation. These materials present outstanding characteristics such as high absorption coefficients, great photostability, easy processability, low cytotoxicity, among others, turning them into a powerful class of photosensitizer (PS)/photothermal agent (PTA) materials. Herein, we summarize and discuss the advances in the field of CPs with applications in photodynamic inactivation and photothermal therapy towards bacteria elimination. Additionally, a section of current challenges and needs in terms of well-defined benchmark experiments and conditions to evaluate the efficiency of phototherapies is presented.

Conjugated polymers

Photodynamic therapy

Photothermal therapy

Light

Pathogens

Multidrug-resistant microbes

Biofilms

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