In our world of antibiotic resistance, researchers at Brown University have developed a promising way to treat harmful bacteria by releasing antibiotics only as needed in a new wound dressing. The new material is a smart hydrogel loaded with antibiotics that can be placed directly on a wound under a bandage. The hydrogel is sensitive to harmful bacteria and when detected starts to degrade, releasing the antibiotics. However, if no harmful bacteria are present, the hydrogel remains intact, safely holding its antibiotic cargo until or if needed. Authors say that process does not contribute to development of antibiotic resistance. This research, reported in the journal Science Advances, has been patented with an eye toward future use in humans.