Thesis supervisor: Gabriella Spengler
Location of studies (in Hungarian): Orvosi Mikrobiológiai és Immunbiológiai Intézet Abbreviation of location of studies: OMI
Description of the research topic:
The phenomenon of MDR is due to the widespread use of antibiotics and biocides, furthermore MDR is responsible for the selection of resistant bacterial strains. Numerous reports indicate that the main efflux pump AcrAB-TolC system of E. coli (and its corresponding homologs in the related species of Enterobacteriaceae) plays a crucial role in the survival and persistence of the microorganism in the gastrointestinal tract. Besides the inhibition of efflux pumps, the molecules contributing to the bacterial communication (quorum sensing or QS signals) can be another promising target for new antibacterial agents. The secretion of QS signals is inhibited by EPIs suggesting the importance of the efflux system in the QS responses of bacterial population. The overexpression of MDR efflux pumps is one of the most important resistance mechanisms in bacteria, because these proteins expel a broad range of antibiotics owing to their poly-substrate specificity. The main goal of using EPIs is the improvement of the antibiotic efficacy. We focus on the screening of EPIs to modulate the activity of bacterial MDR efflux pumps and QS, in addition the lead compounds could be applied in combined antimicrobial chemotherapy in order to reverse antibiotic resistance and overcome MDR bacterial infections.
Required language skills: english Further requirements: degree in Biology or Pharmaceutical Sciences or Medical Sciences
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