Antibiotic production: Lysins in microalgae

The World Health Organisation has declared that antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the top 10 global public health threats facing humanity. Around 70% of antibiotics are used in animal farming, exacerbating the AMR problem.Lysins are highly specific and fast acting protein based anti-bacterials which rapidly disrupt the cell wall of the bacterial target and to date have exhibit very low resistance development.

Objective/mission (The vision): The production of highly specific Lysins for human and animal treatment in microalgae to opens up a low cost oral delivery options.

Research approach (The initiative): The project will involve a wide range of molecular biology techniques, microalgal chloroplast based expression and scale up. Further opportunities exist in antimicrobial screening.

Impacts and applications: In Europe, it is estimated that antimicrobial resistance imposes a  Euro 9 billion cost burden year. In the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), antimicrobial resistance imposes a $20 billion direct healthcare cost burden, and a  $35 billion dollar loss in annual productivity.

Partners/collaborators: IMB Centre for Superbug Solution, School of Dentistry