Biochemical exploration of a novel enzyme from a multidrug resistant pathogen

An unusual rare sugar is present on the surface of pathogenic bacteria including multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii, dysentery-causing Shigella and Pseudomonas aeruginosa - the major cause of death for cystic-fibrosis patients. The unusual sugar shields the bacteria from detection and destruction by the human immune system. To date, surprisingly, no enzymes that transfer this sugar onto bacteria have been characterised. We will use diverse techniques, including chemical synthesis, biochemistry and crystallography to complete the study of a novel glycosyltransferase enzyme we have established is active on this rare sugar, opening up new fronts in the war on superbugs.