Insights into quorum quenching as an alternative to face the risk of infections in biomedical applications: A review of design strategies

Bacterial infections associated with biomedical devices pose significant challenges, often leading to implant failure and severe health complications. Traditional antimicrobial strategies, primarily based on antibiotics and biocidal agents, contribute to the emergence of resistant bacterial strains. In this context, quorum quenching (QQ) has emerged as a promising, non-biocidal approach to mitigate infections by disrupting bacterial communication systems, thus without promoting the development of drug resistance mechanisms. In this perspective, this review provides a comprehensive analysis of the latest advances in QQ-functionalized biomaterials designed for biomedical applications. We explore various QQ mechanisms, including enzymatic degradation of signalling molecules, molecular inhibition strategies, and their integration into biomaterials. Furthermore, we discuss the effectiveness of these strategies in preventing biofilm formation, their biocompatibility, and challenges related to stability and long-term performance. By highlighting innovative design strategies and potential clinical implications, this review underscores the role of QQ in the next-generation biomaterials aimed at reducing infection risks in medical settings.