INNOLYSINS: Novel antibacterials against Salmonella

Salmonella is a major cause of foodborne bacterial disease worldwide, usually leading to gastroenteritis. However, severe complications and high mortality rates are seen, particularly in developing countries. In addition, increasing antibiotic resistance and the ability of Salmonella to persist call for novel treatment solutions for Salmonella infections.

Endolysins, phage-encoded enzymes degrading the peptidoglycan, are showing promise as effective antibacterials. Nevertheless, the outer membrane of gram-negative bacteria, such as Salmonella, limits the effectiveness of endolysins, as their access to the peptidoglycan is restricted. 

This project aims to identify novel endolysins that are effective against the peptidoglycan of Salmonella and to engineer these endolysins into Innolysins being Innovative engineered endolysins. Innolysins are endolysins fused to phage receptor-binding proteins, which previously showed the ability to overcome the outer membrane of gram-negative pathogens, such as E. coli and Campylobacter. This allows them to access the peptidoglycan and exert their antibacterial effects. In this project, we plan to expand the concept of Innolysins by engineering novel Innolysins with antibacterial activities against Salmonella in vitro and in vivo, focusing on targeting intracellular Salmonella.

The Tres Cantos Open Lab Foundation supports this project.

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