Novel antibiotics
Donation protected
Multidrug-resistance in pathogenic strains of bacteria has, in the last decade, presented an increasing problem in the treatment of bacterial infections and diseases. The re-emergence of tuberculosis (TB), for instance, is one of the serious threats that are spreading
rapidly throughout the world. Furthermore, many strains of enterococci have acquired resistance to vancomycin, the last antibiotic that was still able to fight them successfully. What is urgently needed is not only to find out how bacteria such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis and enterococci species become resistance to drugs, but also to develop new antibiotics as
alternative choices for treatment. Mechanosensitive (MS) channels have evolved the ability to respond to membrane tension in cells.
In bacteria, MS channels act as an emergency valve in a high osmotic environment, protecting the bacterial cell from lysis by opening the channels, which leads to a loss of cellular osmolytes and reestablishes the tension across the membrane.
MscL, the bacterial mechanosensitive (MS) channel of large conductance, has become a prototype MS channel for studying structure"“function relationships in this class of ion channels. MscL homologous have commonly been found in Gram -ve and Gram +ve
strains forming a sub-family of a larger family of MS class of ion channels encompassing prokaryotes (bacteria and archaea) as well as cell-walled eukaryotes (fungi and plants). In addition to being highly conserved, no MscL gene has been found within the human genome making it a desired target. We have recently discovered a novel class of non-toxic antibiotics, which are highly effective against superbugs including MRSA (also referred to as Golden Starph). Click here for news coverage on the story.
The raised funds are for registering a company to kick-start optimisation of he drug formulation for an animal study prior to human trials.
rapidly throughout the world. Furthermore, many strains of enterococci have acquired resistance to vancomycin, the last antibiotic that was still able to fight them successfully. What is urgently needed is not only to find out how bacteria such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis and enterococci species become resistance to drugs, but also to develop new antibiotics as
alternative choices for treatment. Mechanosensitive (MS) channels have evolved the ability to respond to membrane tension in cells.
In bacteria, MS channels act as an emergency valve in a high osmotic environment, protecting the bacterial cell from lysis by opening the channels, which leads to a loss of cellular osmolytes and reestablishes the tension across the membrane.
MscL, the bacterial mechanosensitive (MS) channel of large conductance, has become a prototype MS channel for studying structure"“function relationships in this class of ion channels. MscL homologous have commonly been found in Gram -ve and Gram +ve
strains forming a sub-family of a larger family of MS class of ion channels encompassing prokaryotes (bacteria and archaea) as well as cell-walled eukaryotes (fungi and plants). In addition to being highly conserved, no MscL gene has been found within the human genome making it a desired target. We have recently discovered a novel class of non-toxic antibiotics, which are highly effective against superbugs including MRSA (also referred to as Golden Starph). Click here for news coverage on the story.
The raised funds are for registering a company to kick-start optimisation of he drug formulation for an animal study prior to human trials.
Organizer
Ramiz Boulos
Organizer
