New research to target superbugs

The researchers will study bacteria which are highly drug resistant

Scottish scientists are to help develop new drugs to fight some of the most difficult to treat bacterial superbugs.

The Aeropath project aims to find new medications for the infections, which are a particular problem for those with cystic fibrosis and burns victims.

The superbugs are also especially dangerous for patients with a weakened immune system, such as those who have undergone chemotherapy.

Researchers at the universities of Dundee and St Andrews are involved.

Along with colleagues in Sweden and Germany, they have been awarded £3.8m of European Union funding for the research.

The life-threatening and difficult to treat infections being studied are caused by gram-negative bacteria.

Professor Bill Hunter, of the College of Life Sciences at Dundee, said: "These bacterial species are highly resistant to most current drugs.

It is a great example of interdisciplinary science, applying chemistry, biology, biophysics and computational methods to a specific medical problem Professor Mike Ferguson

"What we are doing in this project is seeking out chemicals which can underpin future antibiotic drug development to combat these dangerous bacteria.

"We look forward to the challenge and are determined to progress our research to make significant advances in an important yet relatively neglected area."

The project is particularly focused on the pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa but will also look at other gram-negative bacterial pathogens and hospital superbugs such as Stenotrophomonas and Acinetobacter species.

More well-known superbugs like MRSA are gram-positive.

Using an imaging method called single crystal diffraction, the researchers will be able to build accurate three-dimensional models of the proteins which are essential for the gram-negative bacteria to live.

Scientists can then develop targets for chemicals which can bind to the proteins, disrupt a biological reaction and kill the bacteria.

Professor Mike Ferguson, dean of research to the College of Life Sciences, said: "This programme brings together a powerful coalition of scientists to research new medicines against gram-negative bacteria - some of the hardest bugs to deal with clinically.

"It is a great example of interdisciplinary science, applying chemistry, biology, biophysics and computational methods to a specific medical problem."