Rescuing Antibiotics from Bacterial Resistance
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Cambridge
Department Name: Genetics
Abstract
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Organisations
People |
ORCID iD |
| David Keith Summers (Principal Investigator) |
Publications
Zarkan A
(2020)
Inhibition of indole production increases the activity of quinolone antibiotics against E. coli persisters.
in Scientific reports
| Description | This short (2 month) project has provided an opportunity to test reports that indole modulates E. coli antibiotic resistance and to assess whether interference with this process might offer an opportunity for enhancing the activity of existing antibacterial drugs. We explored developing high throughput (96 well plate) methods for quantifying the effect of indole on antibiotic resistance and discovered that they were less suitable than conventional plating methods for measurement of MIC. By comparing the antibiotic resistance of indole-producing and non-producing strains we were able to show that enhancement is likely to be possible for only a sub-set of antibiotics. This was an important discovery and has focussed subsequent efforts on those drugs where a good outcome is most likely. |
| Exploitation Route | The findings provide a basis for future work on ways that modulating indole synthesis might be used to enhance the efficacy of commonly used antibiotics. The findings have provided an essential foundation for subsequent work. |
| Sectors | Healthcare,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
| Description | The findings have significant potential to create impact in the enhancement of antibacterial drugs. However further work will be required before this can be achieved. Studies based upon the Pathfinder grant are on-going in the Summers laboratory. The initial findings from the award have led directly to projects for two BBSRC rotation students, one M.Phil student , one summer internship (from Delhi) and two visiting Masters students (Heidelberg & Leiden). These additional projects have advanced our understanding of the role of indole signalling in antibiotic resistance and are enabling us to formulate (1) plans for further grant applications and (2) an in silicon screening project as a first step in the design of anti-persister drugs. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2016 |
| Sector | Education,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
| Description | SBRI Antimicrobial in Humans (AMR) Competition |
| Amount | £483,356 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | 106583-623230 |
| Organisation | Innovate UK |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 01/2019 |
| End | 12/2019 |
| Description | Schools outreach lecture |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Approx 400 school pupils attended a talk on "Genes Going Sideways" as part of a day to encourage applications to Cambridge. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |