Innovative Strategies to Treat Bovine Mastitis: Design and Mode of Action Investigation of Strathclyde-Minor Groove Binders
Supervisors:
Katarina Oravcova, School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine, Univeristy of Glasgow
Fraser Scott, University of Strathclyde
David Eckersall, School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine
Lorenzo Viora, School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine
Summary:
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing global concern, largely due to the improper use of antibiotics. Bovine mastitis, an inflammatory condition affecting dairy cows' udders and caused by various bacteria, presents significant economic and animal welfare challenges for dairy farmers. The use of current antimicrobial treatments contributes to the overuse of antibiotics in dairy farming, potentially leading to the development of AMR.
This multidisciplinary project focuses on the evaluation and development of a novel clinical drug candidate targeting bacteria causing mastitis. This candidate belongs to a unique class of antimicrobials known as Strathclyde Minor Groove Binders (S-MGBs), which possess a multi-targeted mechanism of action that reduces the likelihood of resistance development.
During this project, you will gain expertise in drug design, synthetic organic chemistry, and chemical biology within the Scott Group at the University of Strathclyde. You will have access to state-of-the-art facilities and cutting-edge techniques, including Biomolecular NMR, Native Ion Mass Spectrometry, and Target Engagement assays. Working within the Oravcova Group, University of Glasgow, you will assess the new compounds' antibacterial activity using specialized microbiological, molecular, and sequencing methods to understand S-MGBs biochemical and cellular effects.
Furthermore, this unique opportunity will allow you to cultivate a wide array of transferable skills through interactions with veterinarians and engagement with commercial stakeholders.