Grant for research into new antibiotics

[1] 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.