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| University of Otago scientists Prof Sally Brooker and Dr Jon Kitchen, both of the chemistry department, and biochemist Prof Kurt Krause (at right) examine vials of organic molecules, which are among those being tested for their potential antibiotic qualities. Photo by Linda Robertson. |
University of Otago scientists who are striving to develop
and test a new generation of antibiotics have gained backing
from a $27,740 research funding award.
The research project, led by chemist Prof Sally Brooker and
biochemist Prof Kurt Krause, is one of four Otago University
projects which together have attracted $89,667 in funding in
the latest round of the Otago Medical Research Foundation's
Laurenson Awards.
The antibiotic research, which also involves chemistry
postdoctoral researcher Dr Jon Kitchen and biochemistry
researcher Yang Li, focuses on testing the biological
activity of several new antimicrobial compounds, comprising
small organic molecules.
Subject to further testing, these compounds could prove more
effective against drug-resistant strains of microbes than
some other medicines, because they are not simply variations
on existing drug molecules.
Part of the research aims to further increase the existing
antimicrobial activity of the new compounds.
The most promising compounds are also being further tested to
ensure they are not toxic to human cells.
Prof Brooker said that some "really promising" compounds had
been found.
Prof Krause, who is director of the university's Webster
Centre for Infectious Diseases, said developing any effective
new antimicrobial drug at the university could prove "hugely
economically beneficial" for New Zealand.
In another Otago project, backed by an $24,896 award, Dr
Rachel Brown, Rebecca Cooke, and Dr Paula Skidmore, of human
nutrition, and Dr Rachael Taylor, of the Edgar National
Centre for Diabetes Research, are investigating "dietary
compensation capabilities", which may explain why some people
are resistant to obesity and others susceptible.
Preliminary findings from their previous research suggest
some individuals are resistant because they respond more
appropriately to their hunger cues, ultimately helping them
to maintain an energy balance.
A third project, which gained a $29,747 award, and is led by
Otago physiologist Dr Paul Hessian and Dr Lisa Stamp, the
latter of Otago University's Christchurch campus, will
investigate why patients vary in how well they respond to the
most commonly-used drug against rheumatoid arthritis.
The fourth project, led by biochemist Dr Sigurd Wilbanks, and
receiving a $7284 award, involves discovering exactly how a
new class of compounds works to alleviate the degeneration of
brain cells which contributes to Alzheimers disease.
