Targeting Hypermutable ‘superbugs’ In Chronic Respiratory Infections By Optimised Antibiotic Combination Dosage Regimens
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$697,731.00
Summary
Many bacterial ‘superbugs’ can increase their mutation rate, i.e. become hypermutable, and thus rapidly become resistant to multiple antibiotics. Chronic lung infections with hypermutable bacteria cause increased ill-health and death in patients and current treatments do not work well. We will develop improved treatments using combinations of available antibiotics. This project will provide guidance to doctors on how to treat infections more effectively and minimise emergence of resistance.
Structure-based Design Of Novel Therapeutics For Multi-drug Resistant Neisseria Gonorrhoeae
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$669,148.00
Summary
Multiple drug resistance (MDR) in bacteria represents one of the most intractable problems facing modern medicine. The recent superbug, MDR-Neisseria gonorrhoeae (MDR-Ng), causes the sexually transmitted infection gonorrhoeae. A multi disciplinary team with expertise in structural biology, medicinal chemistry and bacteriology will establish a comprehensive knowledge base aimed at developing new antibiotics to treat MDR-Ng by targeting a bacterial protein virulence factor.
Use Of Molecular Resistance Assays To Provide Alterative Oral Treatment Strategies For Gonorrhoea In Indigenous And Other High-risk Populations; A Randomised Cluster Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$828,671.00
Summary
Gonorrhoea has now developed resistance to almost all antibiotics that have been used to treat it. In this study, we will investigate a new treatment approach that selects antibiotics on a patient-by-patient basis. We will use new molecular assays to first test if a gonorrhoea strain infecting a patient is susceptible to an antibiotic, and will then treat on the basis of this result. By doing so, we will optimize our use of antibiotics and improve treatment strategies for gonorrhea.
Understanding The Contribution Of SRNAs To Antibiotic Resistance In Staphylococcus Aureus
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$587,424.00
Summary
Golden Staph is a major problem in Australian hospitals. This project will use cutting edge technology to investigate how Golden Staph responds to and resists antibiotics used to treat human infections, leading to new strategies for the prevention and treatment of antibiotic resistant bacteria.
Neisseria Gonorrhoeae Antmicrobial Resistance: Detection And Propagation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$435,129.00
Summary
Neisseria gonorrhoeae, the pathogen that causes gonorrhoea, has developed resistance to multiple classes of antibiotics. The last remaining class of antibiotics that can successfully be used for general treatment of gonorrhoea is extended spectrum cephalosporins (ESCs). However, we are now starting to see Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolates with early signs of ESC resistance. This research will use molecular technology and mathematical modelling to investigate Neisseria gonorrhoeae antimicrobial resi ....Neisseria gonorrhoeae, the pathogen that causes gonorrhoea, has developed resistance to multiple classes of antibiotics. The last remaining class of antibiotics that can successfully be used for general treatment of gonorrhoea is extended spectrum cephalosporins (ESCs). However, we are now starting to see Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolates with early signs of ESC resistance. This research will use molecular technology and mathematical modelling to investigate Neisseria gonorrhoeae antimicrobial resistance in Australia.Read moreRead less
Genomic Approaches To Understand And Control The Emergence Of Vancomycin Resistant Enterococcus Faecium (VREfm) In Australia.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$756,163.00
Summary
VRE is a serious hospital superbug that has been increasing in many major hospitals around Australia, while at the same time MRSA (Golden Staph) infections have been decreasing. This project will find out why VRE is increasing by examining what happens to patients at a major Australian hospital from their time of admission to the onset of infection with VRE. At the end of the project we will have the first real understanding of how VRE is transmitted so we can develop effective infection control ....VRE is a serious hospital superbug that has been increasing in many major hospitals around Australia, while at the same time MRSA (Golden Staph) infections have been decreasing. This project will find out why VRE is increasing by examining what happens to patients at a major Australian hospital from their time of admission to the onset of infection with VRE. At the end of the project we will have the first real understanding of how VRE is transmitted so we can develop effective infection control measures.Read moreRead less
Multi-Targeted Inhibition Of An Essential Tetrameric Enzyme From Drug -Resistant Streptococcus Pneumonie.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$534,313.00
Summary
Streptococcus pneumoniae is an significant human pathogen which causes several diseases including pneumonia and meningitis. Treatment of infection involves the use of antibiotics such as penecillin, however, resistant strains are now emerging. This project will address the real need to develop new antibiotics targeting this organism. This is essentially a drug discovery project which exploits a novel means to target Streptococcus pneumoniae.
Combating Bacterial ‘superbugs‘ By Innovative Dosing Strategies That Combine Available Antibiotics To Prevent Resistance
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$547,694.00
Summary
As resistant bacterial ‘superbugs’ are among the 3 most serious threats to global health and as new antibiotics are lacking, innovative strategies to prevent bacterial resistance are urgently needed. This proposal will yield molecular insights on optimal combinations of current beta-lactam antibiotics to maximise bacterial killing without resistance. This project will provide guidance to physicians on how to optimally combine available beta-lactam antibiotics to prevent bacterial resistance.
Understanding The Role Of The Essential Regulator WalKR In Staphylococcus Aureus
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$555,239.00
Summary
Staphylococcus aureus is one of the most common human bacterial pathogens. This project aims to characterise an important global control system in S. aureus, and determine if chemical inhibitors of this control system could be used to treat S. aureus disease in the future.
Evolution And Pathogenicity Of NDM-1 Positive Escherichia Coli
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$643,275.00
Summary
Antibiotic resistance (AR), as highlighted by the WHO, is the most pressing medical need of the 21C – some infections are now untreatable. Our research will focus on the new "superbug" NDM-1 positive E. coli. We will correlate AR and pathogenicity and explore the evolution of these "superbugs" using state-of-the-art sequencing. This research will benefit Australian medicine by predicting timelines of AR epidemics and by conducting the first analyses on the virulence potential of these strains.