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E.coli

Researchers rescue antibiotics from resistance using phototherapy

Researchers at the Crick and King's College London have used phototherapy to inhibit a protein in E. Coli bacteria that makes them resistant to antibiotics. They designed a new chemical tool, Ru1, composed of a light-activated ruthenium metal complex attached to an organic ligand that binds to NDM-1, an enzyme in drug-resistant bacteria that breaks down common beta-lactam antibiotics like penicillin. When exposed to blue light, the metal complex produces reactive oxygen species that cause damage to NDM-1, preventing it from binding and destroying an antibiotic. They showed that Ru1 can boost the activity of meropenem antibiotic against E. Coli by 53 times, without showing toxicity to human cells.

Light-activated metal-dependent protein degradation: A heterobifunctional ruthenium(II) photosensitizer targeting New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase 1

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Published in Journal of the American Chemical Society

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Explore a selection of recent case studies that spotlight particular areas of research at the Crick.