Biofilm degrading enzymes

Context

Antimicrobial tolerance and resistance represent a global health crisis projected to cause 10 million deaths annually by 2050 and create immense financial strain on healthcare systems. A primary driver of this resistance is the formation of complex protective matrices (biofilms) that shield pathogens and increase their antibiotic tolerance up to 1000-fold, driving chronic infections in hospitals. Given the high cost of antibiotic development, identifying alternative strategies to disrupt these biofilm-associated infections is now a global medical imperative.

The Research

We are using omics approaches to identify enzymes capable of disrupting the biofilm matrix from major bacterial pathogens, with a special focus on carbohydrate active enzymes. Through their in depth biochemical characterisation, we are uncovering a range of novel enzyme families that could be used to synergise antibiotics in healthcare.