Developing new weapons to fight drug-resistant superbugs – targeting lipoteichoic acid biosynthesis

Project Code

MRCIIAR25Br Laabei

Research Theme

Infection, Immunity, Antimicrobial Resistance and Repair

Project Summary Download

Summary

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has been described as the silent pandemic, fuelled in part by insufficient antibiotic development. We have identified novel small molecules that target a crucial bacterial component called lipoteichoic acid. Precise understanding of how antibiotics kill bacteria is critical to the safe and effective use of antimicrobials in therapy. By combining molecular microbiology, proteomics, and medicinal and analytical chemistry, this proposal aims to unravel the mechanism of action of a novel class of antibiotic, the oxadiazole based small molecule which we have shown potently inhibits multi-drug resistant bacterial pathogens, most notably methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. 

Lead Supervisor

Dr Maisem Laabei

Lead Supervisor Email

maisem.laabei@bristol.ac.uk

University Affiliation

Bristol