#CEITEC MU-002
SUMMARY
A method for designing unique peptides that can selectively target and Disrupt cellular membranes of pathogens without damaging human cells.
BACKGROUND
Increasing incidence of antibiotic resistance in bacteria, along with a steady decline in the Discovery of new antibiotics, presents a global health challenge. There is a need for the discovery of an alternative class of antibiotics, and antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have emerged as a promising candidate for such new antibiotics. Especially, the peptides which are able to form leaky transmembrane pores in the bacterial cytoplasmic membrane are of particular interest as they can directly kill the antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Over the last few decades, a number of natural and synthetic membrane-permeabilising AMPs with various pore-forming abilities have been discovered. However, fundamental rules for the guided development of pore-forming peptides are missing. The determination of such rules is challenging because a single amino acid substitution has been reported to be enough to cause a dramatic change in the pore structure or even completely change the peptide’s mode of action.
FEATURES AND KEY BENEFITS
- Unique approach in designing antimicrobial peptides.
- Wide use of this platform technology.
REFERENCES
Patent application submitted
AVAILABLE
Seeking development partner, commercial partner, licensing, investment.
CONTACT
Robert Vácha, TechTransfer@ceitec.muni.cz
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