MetVBadBugs Quantitative measurement and imaging of drug - uptake by bacteria with antimicrobial resistance (DFM.AD005.176)

Thematic area

Physical sciences and technologies of matter

Project area

Structure responsible for the research project

National Institute of Optics (INO)

Project manager

RICCARDO CICCHI
Phone number: 05523081
Email: riccardo.cicchi@ino.it

Abstract

The innate resistance of Gram negative bacteria to antibiotics and other antimicrobials is a consequence of the combinatorial effects of (a) two permeability barriers (the outer and inner membranes), (b) their ability to efflux antibiotics out of the cell and (c) their capacity to form antibiotic tolerant biofilms that are up to 100 times more resistant than planktonic (suspended) cells. There is an urgent need for metrology to quantitatively measure and image the localisation of antibacterial agents in bacteria and biofilms and to understand penetration and efflux processes. This will be achieved by developing innovative metrological capabilities for the label free 3D imaging of antibacterial agents in bacteria, the traceable quantification of the vertical concentration profile of antibacterial agents in bacteria and biofilms, and for the real time quantitative measurement of drug uptake in bacteria and biofilms.

Goals

- Combattere la minaccia di resistenza antimicrobica per la salute e la prosperità dell'Europa.

- Sviluppare nuove capacità metrologiche per: imaging 3D di agenti antibatterici nei batteri; la quantificazione della concentrazione di agenti antibatterici nei batteri e biofilm.

- Sviluppare sistemi modello ben controllati per consentire la misurazione di penetrazione, accumulo e l'efflusso di agenti antibatterici nelle singole cellule, in aggregati cellulari e in biofilm.

- Sviluppare strategie di amplificazione del segnale e metodi di preparazione del campione per lo studio di agenti antibatterici

Start date of activity

03/10/2016

Keywords

antibiotic resistence, bacteria

Last update: 20/04/2025