A team of University of Otago – Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka researchers is joining a USD$50 million international research programme from Wellcome Leap set to tackle the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance.
The group is one of 16 – and the only from Aotearoa New Zealand – selected for the Focused Antibiotics programme.
Project lead Associate Professor Allan Gamble, of the School of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, says the programme’s overall goal is to transform how antibiotics are delivered to sites of infection, so the gut microbiome isn’t affected.
“The idea is that, through better delivery methods, antibiotics could be directed to the site of infection, targeting harmful bacteria while sparing beneficial members of the gut microbiome that help maintain our gut health and keep potentially harmful bacteria in check.
“We want to develop antibiotics that are affordable and treat common infections of the urinary tract, ears, and lungs, while reducing the risk of driving antibiotic resistance in the gut microbiome,” Associate Professor Gamble says.
The Otago team, which also includes co-principal investigators Associate Professor Daniel Pletzer, Professor Sarah Hook and Dr Rachel Purcell, has expertise in medicinal chemistry, drug delivery, microbiology and microbiome analysis.
Its research will focus on modified antibiotics that are only activated when a bacterial infection is present, with the aim of minimising disruption to the gut microbiome.
“This will mean the good bacteria of the gut microbiome are spared, keeping us in better health.
“Specifically, we want to demonstrate that our targeted antibiotic strategy limits exposure of the active antibiotic in the gut, while retaining antimicrobial activity at the infection site,” Associate Professor Gamble says.
Associate Professor Pletzer says the research will benefit everyone as antimicrobial drug resistance is a major global threat.
“The overuse and misuse of antibiotics have accelerated the emergence and spread of resistance to front-line treatments. Previously treatable infections are now unresponsive to antibiotics, adding a significant burden and cost to the healthcare system, and ultimately leading to increased morbidity and mortality rates.
“However, while avoiding unnecessary antibiotic use is an important part of protecting the microbiome and slowing resistance, antibiotics remain essential for treating bacterial infections. We therefore need both new antibiotics and better ways of delivering existing drugs to make best use of our current arsenal.
“Developing a new antibiotic from scratch is expensive and can take decades, but this milestone-driven programme is designed to move faster, with the team aiming for major breakthroughs in antibiotic delivery within 5-10 years,” Associate Professor Pletzer says.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) Distinguished Professor Greg Cook says the funding is a significant achievement for both the research team and the wider University.
“The funding not only recognises the team’s expertise in antibiotic research, but also reflects the collaborative nature of the programme, connecting Otago researchers with leading peers from around the world.
“Otago is home to world-leading scientists, and their involvement in this innovative global research programme is a testament to the strength and impact of our research community.”
Associate Professor Gamble is thrilled to be part of the programme.
“To be selected as just one of 16 teams worldwide to work on solving one the greatest health crises facing humanity, is humbling, and, personally, is a career defining moment.
“It is rewarding to know the ideas we have generated, and hard work our team has put in over the past seven years, can compete on a global stage, and has the potential to make a real difference to global health.”
More about the programme:
https://wellcomeleap.org/programs/focused-antibiotics/
Founded by Wellcome Trust in 2020, Wellcome Leap is a US-based non-profit that brings together an international network of scientists. It funds innovative research programmes at scale with the aim of making significant breakthroughs in human health in years, not decades.
