Periodic Reporting for period 2 - RESUSCITATION (Bacterial persister regrowth)
Reporting period: 2019-08-01 to 2021-01-31
Bacterial persisters are responsible for lack of clearance by antibiotic courses, leading to relapses of infection and recurrent treatments needed. We investigate how bacterial persisters resume growth and how toxins important for bacterial growth control lead to bacterial growth arrest, and how their activity can be reversed.
We have deciphered the mode of action of three toxins, identified the specific target that they corrupt leading to bacterial self-intoxication. We have also deciphered fully how natural antitoxins neutralise the toxins, and can now mimic synthetically the naturalisation activity of the antitoxins.
We are investigating the ATP levels of persisters and the requirements of energy needed to allow dormant bacteria to resume growth (and lead to infection relapse).
We are investigating the ATP levels of persisters and the requirements of energy needed to allow dormant bacteria to resume growth (and lead to infection relapse).
We aim to provide a complete picture of what support and allow persister resuscitation as well as intervention startegies to prevent infection relapses.