Illnesses brought on by bacteria can be treated with antibiotics, but sometimes the bacteria develop a resistance to the invading medicine. This creates a challenge for scientists to find more efficient ways to kill bacteria.
A team of Ohio University and Ohio State University researchers has risen to that challenge, creating small molecules that bind to certain bacteria and strip them of the ability to make vital proteins, according to an Office of Research Communications press release.
The targeted part of the bacteria is its ribonucleic acid, or RNA. The team has found certain molecules that disable the RNA, which the bacteria use to translate their genetic code into information for making necessary proteins, said Stephen Bergmeier, an OU chemistry professor. Bergmeier led a separate team that developed the molecules.
The RNA is basically the protein synthesis machinery that takes its instructions from the DNA
which is the entire genetic code Bergmeier said. The proteins are necessary to carry out the basic living process of any cell for example
bacteria.
The particular sequences of RNA most susceptible to a targeted molecular assault were identified by OU biochemistry Professor Jennifer Hines and Ohio State microbiology Professor Tina Henkin. Once the team figured out how these sequences transfer the genetic information needed to make the proteins, it knew where to aim the molecules developed in Bergmeier's lab, Henkin said.
If we can make it stop all the time
then they would never be able to make this protein that they absolutely need to survive
Henkin said.
This idea could eventually be the basis of a drug that would target bacteria such as staphylococcus and tuberculosis, Hines said, because these and other bacteria have similar sequences of RNA. Such a drug is years away from clinical use because of concerns best evaluated by other scientists, such as toxicologists, Henkin said.
We're hoping that it won't be toxic
but sometimes things end up being toxic for reasons that we don't understand
she said.
Bergmeier said he had created the molecules to model naturally occurring molecules he found biologically interesting, and realized the link when he was talking to Hines.
We had a bit of serendipity
Bergmeier said. I knew she was working on some RNA work and I asked her if she might be interested.
Hines and Bergmeier, who are married, moved from Ohio State to OU together, she said, adding that she has been impressed with the Innovation Center on campus, which has helped her navigate the patenting process, and with the overall atmosphere of the university.
It has been much more flexible here at OU
she said. It is a more personable environment
and your contributions are valued and recognized.
