Resistant bacteria cause infections in people and animals throughout the world. This makes some infections hard to treat. Scientists in the Institute of Microbiology and Infection (IMI) perform research to understand how bacteria become resistant to antibiotics and use this information as a platform for research into new treatments and ways to prevent infection.
DNA sequencing
They use state-of-the-art methods and the power of modern DNA sequencing technologies. The team’s drug discovery research is identifying novel substances that stop the bacterial cell wall being made, keep drugs inside bacterial cells or stop drug-resistance transfer.
Novel vaccines
They say: ‘We have discovered novel drug candidates that are active against the most problematic antibiotic-resistant bacteria or that can minimise the spread of antibiotic resistance genes among bacteria. We are also developing novel vaccines and ways to prevent infections. ‘Our work is important as it will help to treat bacterial infections now, and in the future.’