Exploring the anti-bacterial potential of small molecules from native Australian tropical plants in the context of melioidosis treatment
Role
Supervisor
Description
Burkholderia pseudomallei, the causative agent of melioidosis, poses a growing health threat, particularly in Queensland with 129 people diagnosed with the disease in 2022. As a Gram-negative bacterium, B. pseudomallei contains lipopolysaccharide (LPS) as an essential component of its outer membrane. Production of LPS is via the ADP-L-glycero-β-D-manno-heptose biosynthesis pathway. A key enzyme in this pathway, D-glycero-β-D-manno-heptose-1-phosphate adenylyltransferase (HldC), has been identified as a potential target for antibiotic therapy. In this study we will investigate the binding activity of flavonoids isolated from Australian tropical plants to HldC and assess their inhibitory potential as a novel meliodosis treatment.
Date
10 May 2024 - 10 May 2025
Project Type
GRANT
Keywords
Burkholderia pseudomallei;lipopolysaccharide;HldC;flavonoids
Funding Body
Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation
Amount
4939
Project Team
Jordi Nelis;Phurpa Wangchuk;Andres Ruiz Alvarez;Kate Miller