Abstract:
The rapid emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens among nosocomial bacteria poses a significant threat to public health and a substantial economic burden on global healthcare systems. The World Health Organization (WHO) has prioritized six pathogens, including Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, for the development of advanced drugs to combat hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) and associated deaths. These MDR pathogens employ quorum sensing (QS), a cell-density-dependent chemical communication system, to orchestrate the production of virulence factors (VFs) and biofilm formation. VFs, such as protease and elastase, along with extracellular matrix components, facilitate bacterial invasion and colonization of host tissues. Biofilms, composed of microbial cells embedded in a protective matrix, impart an enhanced resistance to antimicrobial agents and the host’s innate immune defenses. Microbial cells within biofilms exhibit up to 1000-fold greater resistance to antibiotics, resulting in life-threatening HAIs in patients. Disabling QS signaling using natural therapeutics has emerged as a promising non-antibiotic approach to combat bacterial superbugs. In recent years, the development of novel advanced materials, including nanocomposites (NCs), has garnered significant attention among researchers due to their superior properties compared to their bulk counterparts. In this seminar, I will discuss the discovery of novel natural quorum-sensing inhibitors and the development of effective nanocomposites that can have a significant impact on suppressing hospital-acquired infections.
Speaker: Dr. Prateeksha
Affiliation: Texas Tech Health Science Centre, Texas, USA
Time: 4:30 PM, Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2024
Venue: Tencent Meeting ID：823-833-779
https://meeting.tencent.com/dm/HnCbrsD3y5pL
