Surface-mediated release of a synthetic small-molecule modulator of bacterial quorum sensing: Gradual release enhances activity

We demonstrate an approach to the surface-mediated release of a synthetic N-acylated l-homoserine lactone (AHL) modulator of bacterial quorum sensing (QS). AHL released gradually from thin films of poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLG) is shown to activate QS in the model symbiont Vibrio fischeri at levels that exceed those promoted by direct solution-based administration.