Friday, March 17, 2023
News on Pathogens and Preparedness
Global Biodefense
  • Featured
  • COVID-19
  • Funding
  • Directory
  • Jobs
  • Events
  • Subscribe
No Result
View All Result
  • Featured
  • COVID-19
  • Funding
  • Directory
  • Jobs
  • Events
  • Subscribe
No Result
View All Result
Global Biodefense
No Result
View All Result
Home Antimicrobial Resistance

DNA Plasmid Curing to Fight Drug-Resistant Bacteria

by Global Biodefense Staff
June 2, 2012

The health risks from an increasing prevalence of drug-resistant bacteria and a diminishing antibiotic pipeline is of serious concern to the DoD, not only in regards to health care associated infections, but also threats posed from pandemics, emerging infectious pathogens and the intentional use of resistant pathogens for bioterrorism.

In the battle against these germs, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is soliciting innovative ideas for controlling antibiotic resistant or highly virulent pathogens through plasmid curing.

One of the major routes by which bacterial pathogens become resistant to antibiotics and more virulent is through Horizontal Gene Transfer (HGT), which allows for genetic material transfer in the form of extrachromosomal plasmids from one cell to another.  This phenomenon is capable of transferring resistance or virulence genes to normally antibiotic susceptible and avirulent bacteria. This creates a severe risk to front line antibiotic treatments, such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).

One way to reverse the resistance of emerging or engineered bacteria created by HGT may be to specifically target the plasmids being transferred between the cells, rather than using methods to directly kill the cells, an approach known as plasmid curing.

Proposals are sought to develop a novel plasmid curing therapeutic capable of displacing antibiotic resistance or virulence causing plasmids from bacteria.  Studies working with ESKAPE bacteria (Enterococcus, Staphylococcus, Klebsiella, Acinetobacter, Pseudomonas, and bacteria that produce Extended Spectrum Beta Lactamase) enzymes are specifically encouraged.

More information in the DARPA Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) topic is available here.

Tags: AntimicrobialsBioterrorismDARPAMRSA

Related Posts

DARPA Selects Teams to Develop Vaccine Durability Prediction Model
Medical Countermeasures

DARPA Selects Teams to Develop Vaccine Durability Prediction Model

January 13, 2023
small glass vials on an assembly line await filling of vaccine solution
Industry News

Sabin Vaccine Institute to Advance Ebola Sudan and Marburg Vaccines with New BARDA Funding

January 12, 2023
How Are Bivalent COVID Vaccines Stacking Up Against Omicron?
Infectious Diseases

How Are Bivalent COVID Vaccines Stacking Up Against Omicron?

January 12, 2023
NISTCHO: New Living Reference Material for Producing Monoclonal Antibodies
Medical Countermeasures

NISTCHO: New Living Reference Material for Producing Monoclonal Antibodies

January 12, 2023
Load More

Latest News

Biodefense Headlines – 12 March 2023

Biodefense Headlines – 12 March 2023

March 12, 2023
Partner Therapeutics’ Novel Approach to Stratify Sepsis Patients Gains Backing From BARDA

Biopreparedness Research Virtual Environment (BRaVE) Initiative Backed by $105M DOE Funding

January 25, 2023
Influenza Proteins Tilt and Wave in ‘Breath-like’ Motions

Influenza Proteins Tilt and Wave in ‘Breath-like’ Motions

January 25, 2023
Biodefense Headlines – 24 January 2023

Biodefense Headlines – 24 January 2023

January 24, 2023

Subscribe

  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Subscribe

© 2022 Stemar Media Group LLC

No Result
View All Result
  • Featured
  • COVID-19
  • Funding
  • Directory
  • Jobs
  • Events
  • Subscribe

© 2022 Stemar Media Group LLC

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are okay with it.OkPrivacy policy