DISCOVER: Phage-guided discovery of novel antibacterial targets

Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) E. coli is a major health concern as it is commensal in food-producing animals and can spread to humans and cause severe diseases. Furthermore, it is resistant to beta-lactam and other currently used antibiotics. The currently used antibiotics are based on a limited set of bacterial targets, which enhances resistance development. To develop new, sustainable antibiotics, it is essential to identify novel targets. Phages offer a unique opportunity for discovering novel antibacterial targets due to their interaction with critical bacterial components during infection.

This project aims to identify novel antibacterial targets by screening early-expressed phage proteins from phages that infect ESBL E. coli. These early-expressed proteins play a key role in hijacking the bacterial metabolism during infection and are known to interfere with various processes such as DNA replication and translation. However, the function and target of many of these proteins remain uncharacterized. By identifying the target of early-expressed phage proteins with an antibacterial effect and structurally elucidating the phage-bacteria interaction, this project will result in the discovery and characterization of novel antibacterial targets.

The Independent Research Fund Denmark supports the DISCOVER project.

For more information, please contact Professor Lone Brøndsted lobr@sund.ku.dk