Light-Activable Inhibitor Overcomes Antimicrobial Resistance and Regulates Antibacterial Activity

Overuse and environmental accumulation of antibiotics contribute to antimicrobial resistance, a global health threat. PhoPS, a photocaged β-lactamase inhibitor, has been designed and synthesized. It exhibits rapid photoactivation, stability, and light-activated inhibition. It synergizes with cefoperazone against Escherichia coli strains and can suppress resistance development, suggesting a promising approach.