Researchers discover method to overcome antimicrobial resistance

The World Health Organization has identified antimicrobial resistance as a significant global threat due to the decreasing effectiveness of clinical antibiotics against certain pathogenic bacteria. To combat this issue, the Center for Antibiotic Discovery and Resistance at the University of Oklahoma (OU), led by Dr. Helen Zgurskaya and Dr. Valentin Rybenkov, is actively researching alternative therapeutic solutions.

Antibiotics function by targeting specific components of bacterial cells, such as the cell wall or DNA. However, bacteria have developed resistance to antibiotics through mechanisms like efflux pumps, which are proteins located on the surface of bacteria cells. These pumps expel antibiotics from the cell, preventing them from reaching their intended targets and killing the bacteria.

Recently, researchers at OU made a significant discovery related to this issue. They identified a new class of molecules that inhibit efflux pumps, thereby restoring the effectiveness of antibiotics in combating bacterial infections.

The inhibitors possess a unique mechanism of action, which was previously unknown. Through collaborative efforts with teams at the Georgia Institute of Technology and King’s College London, the OU team found that these inhibitors act as a “molecular wedge” that targets the space between the inner and outer cell membranes, enhancing the antibacterial activity of antibiotics. This newfound understanding holds promise for the development of new therapeutics for clinical use.

Dr. Zgurskaya stated, “We are already living in a post-antibiotic era, and the situation will worsen unless we find new solutions for antibiotic resistance in healthcare settings. Our discoveries will contribute to the development of new treatments to mitigate this impending crisis.”

Dr. Helen Zgurskaya is a George Lynn Cross Research Professor, and Dr. Valentin Rybenkov is a professor of biochemistry, both in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of Oklahoma.

Denial of responsibility! TechCodex is an automatic aggregator of the all world’s media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.