Abstract
New Drugs for Superbugs
Nicole Pendini
PhD candidate, Discipline of Biochemistry,
University of Adelaide
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA, also known as Golden Staph) is a common cause of hospital bacteria with many of these affecting newborns and children due to their increased susceptibility to infection. For over half a century we have combated bacterial infections through the use of antibiotics. However some strains have become resistant to these current therapies and there is little research attention being funneled towards the discovery of new antibiotic targets or therapies. Particularly susceptible to these “superbugs” are newborns, especially premature babies who have had long stays in hospitals and require intravenous nutrition. If not treated simple skin infections can develop to serious bloodstream bacteraemia, sepsis and, potentially death.
We have discovered a novel drug target that can be exploit for the development of a new class of antibiotics. Using X-ray crystallography we have determined the detailed 3-dimensional structure of this enzyme. This information is now being used to design new drugs that specifically stop the enzyme working and kill bacteria. Future work will be to investigate other pathogenic bacteria that cause Meningitis and other infections in newborns, infants and children such as Streptococci, Enterococci and Listeria.
