A team of researchers at the BRIC-Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (RGCB) in Thiruvananthapuram has discovered a promising new strategy to counter bacterial resistance to antibiotics — a growing global health threat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The scientists found that targeting porins — protein channels in the outer membrane of pathogenic bacteria — can significantly enhance the effectiveness of antibiotics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The findings, published in Small, a peer-reviewed nanoscience and nanotechnology journal based in Weinheim, Germany, emerged from a collaborative effort involving Dr Mahendran\u2019s lab at RGCB, Dr Arumugam Rajavelu\u2019s lab at IIT Madras, and Dr Jagannath Mondal\u2019s lab at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), Hyderabad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
RGCB Director Prof Chandrabhas Narayana said bacterial resistance to antibiotics poses a serious challenge to the medical community, particularly for pharmacologists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIn this context, the multidisciplinary nature of this research opens exciting avenues to counter antibiotic resistance by improving the transport of targeted antibiotics into bacterial cells,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The study highlights how bacteria evolve mechanisms to block antibiotics — one of which involves altering porins, the protein channels that allow antibiotics to enter the cell. A reduction in the number or functionality of these channels can prevent drug entry, rendering treatments ineffective.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The researchers focused on CymAKp, a dynamic porin found in Klebsiella pneumoniae, a WHO-listed high-priority pathogen. Using advanced biophysical techniques and computer simulations, they discovered that CymAKp is specially adapted to allow the uptake of cyclic sugars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By studying the interaction between antibiotics and these underexplored porins, the team has identified a potential route to bypass bacterial defences and restore the efficacy of antibiotics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The research was supported by the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India; the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) under the Department of Science and Technology; and intramural funding from RGCB.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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