Cell wall hydrolases for eradication of multidrug resistant bacteria
Description of the granted funding
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global problem, more than 1 million people die each year from infections caused by bacteria resistant to drugs. This situation is getting worse as the number of resistant bacteria outstrips the availability of effective drugs. AMR is a threat to our well-being, rendering medicare highly risky, incl. cancer treatment, organ transplants, joint replacement surgeries, premature infant care... We are exploring new means to eradicate multidrug-resistant bacteria. The molecules we are studying are enzymes capable of degrading the bacterial cell wall as well as the biofilm it forms, throughout the bacterial life cycle. The method is highly specific, the enzymes eradicate only the bacteria that are the target of the treatment, leaving beneficial bacterial populations safe. We are testing the effectiveness of the method in carefully controlled laboratory experiments as well as directly towards multidrug-resistant bacterial cells.
Show moreStarting year
2024
End year
2028
Granted funding
Funder
Research Council of Finland
Funding instrument
Academy projects
Decision maker
Scientific Council for Natural Sciences and Engineering
13.06.2024
13.06.2024
Other information
Funding decision number
362535
Fields of science
Biochemistry, cell and molecular biology
Research fields
Biokemia, biofysiikka
Identified topics
microbiome, microbiology