ANTIMICROBIAL PEPTIDES AGAINST MDR ESKAPE PATHOGENS
This project is focused on pre-clinical development of novel antimicrobial peptides that are active against MDR ESKAPE pathogens.
We are evaluating and characterizing these peptides to identify the best peptide to take forward for pre-clinical development, including toxicity and PK studies.
This project is funded by the Joint Warfighter Program.
TOXIN-ANTITOXIN SYSTEM IN PSEUDOMONAS
In this project, we are characterizing a novel toxin-antitoxin system in Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii. In these systems, there is one protein that is a toxin, and an adjacently encoded protein which protects the host from that toxin. We have identified a new pair of toxin-antitoxin genes that we are characterizing for being a new way to treat MDR Pseudomonas or Acinetobacter infections. This project is funded by PRMRP.
COMPUTATIONAL DESIGN OF NOVEL ANTIMICROBIAL PEPTIDES
We have begun to use computational methods to invent and design new antimicrobial peptides. Â We focus on designing peptides that might be active against Gram-negative bacteria.
FRANCISELLA MICROBIAL PHYSIOLOGY
We have multiple projects focused on very basic questions of microbial physiology.
What is the role of small molecule communication in Francisella?
What is the role of biofilm formation in Francisella?
What are the functions of the two-component systems in Francisella?
What is the mechanism of polymyxin resistance in Francisella and does it relate to antimicrobial peptide resistance?
COLLABORATION WITH THE DISCO LAB AT UNCW
Working with Dr. Wendy Strangman and Dr. Tom Williamson at UNCW DrugDiscovery lab (DISCO), my Research Semester students are screening marine extracts for antibacterial activity against human pathogenic bacteria.