New generation metallo-antimicrobials

About the Project

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major public health concern worldwide. According to the latest statistics, bacterial AMR was responsible for 4.71 million deaths in 2021. If no new antimicrobials are developed, the World Health Organisation predicts that AMR will cost the world economy $100 trillion by 2050. Given the clinical and financial burden imposed on society by AMR, it is imperative that new antimicrobial agents are developed that can overcome AMR. Antimicrobial drug development has largely focused on organic small molecules and natural products. These agents are typically one-dimensional and tend to target a specific biochemical process within bacteria, allowing for the possibility of AMR to occur more readily. It is more advantageous to develop antimicrobial agents that can simultaneously target several physiological and metabolic functions within bacteria, leading to multiple modes of action. This approach could reduce the rate at which AMR occurs and thus help alleviate the global health threat imposed by AMR.

Antimicrobial agents containing metals (metallo-antimicrobials) have recently received widespread attention as potential next generation antimicrobials due to their versatile and diverse physical and chemical properties. In this project, we aim to develop metallo-antimicrobials (containing sliver, gold, copper or gallium) that can act across multiple domains and potentially overcome AMR. The project will involve chemical synthesis and characterisation of novel metalloantimicrobials (using spectroscopic and analytical methods), studying the antimicrobial potential of the metallo-antimicrobials in vitro (bacterial cultures and biofilm), determining the mechanisms of action(s) of the metalloantimicrobials using global RNA sequencing and proteomics techniques.

Techniques that will be undertaken during the project

Chemistry: Inorganic and organic synthesis and purification, analytical and spectroscopic characterisation.

Microbiology: Bacterial culture, phage biology, biofilm studies.

Biochemistry / Molecular Biology: Cell culture, in vitro cytotoxicity assays, cellular uptake studies, immunoblotting, immunofluorescence, flow cytometry, RNA sequencing, proteomics.

Microscopy / Electro-physiology: Scanning electron microscopy, cryo-electron microscopy, fluorescent microscopy, live cell imaging.

Enquiries

Project Enquiries to k.suntharalingam@leicester.ac.uk

To apply please use the application link at the bottom of this web page Chemistry | Postgraduate research | University of Leicester

Funding Notes

This project is only available on a self funded basis or if you have your own sponsorship.