Targeting bacterial virulence

Macrophage interactivity potentiator (MIP) proteins are virulence factors which modulate the pathogenicity of several Gram-negative bacteria including Legionella and Burkholderia. We recently showed that MIPs are important for key virulence phenotypes in the opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This project will extend these studies and investigate the specific roles that MIPs play as virulence factors; the Ps. aeruginosa genome encodes several MIPS that are involved in virulence.

The successful candidate will take a combined genetic and chemical biology approach, including the study of new MIP inhibitors produced in our lab and through collaboration with Isomerase Therapeutics, our iCase partner company. Targeting bacterial virulence mechanisms, rather than using compounds that kill or inhibit their growth, may be less likely to select for resistant organisms when compared to molecules which kill or inhibit the growth of bacteria.