Conjugates of aminoglycosides with amphipathic peptides as antibacterials

The problem of multi-drug resistance is a global problem of modern medicine. New, effective antibacterial agents are still being sought. The aim of this project is to improve the action of known antibiotics –  aminoglycosides (AG). We plan to increase the efficiency and activity of AGs by employing a conjugation strategy. The membrane active peptides will be linked with AGs. These peptides have a different antibacterial mechanism than AGs. The project includes the chemical synthesis of AG-peptide conjugates, and subsequently investigations of their secondary structures in the presence of different membrane environments, as well as their interaction with bacterial membranes. The research also includes the stability and activity tests on AG-resistant bacteria.

Principal Investigator: dr Monika Wojciechowska, CeNT UW

Project period: 2020 – 2023

Funding: National Science Centre, SONATA