Antimicrobial Peptides and Methods of Use
Organization: Southern Illinois University Med School
The inventors of this technology designed several artificial antimicrobial peptide molecules, each peptide consisting of between 11 to 35 amino acids and containing a tryptophan triplet. One peptide in particular, tritrypcin, has been validated in several in vitro studies of infection. Several nucleic acids, vectors, and host cells encoding these artificial peptides have been protected and can be used as a means for production. Additionally, copper ions, along with several other metal ions, can be added to artificial and natural peptides ...
Surface-Active Antifungal Polyquaternary Amine
Organization: University of Pittsburgh
Organization: Simon Fraser University
This invention relates to the production and characterization of a mutant strain of Aspergillus fumigatus, a method for inhibiting siderophore biosynthesis in the fungi, and an assay for identifying drug candidates having potential inhibitory activity. The invention will be particularly useful in the discovery of drugs for immunocompromised patients susceptible to infections caused by Aspergillus fumigatus, such as pulmonary aspergillosis.
Novel Broad-Spectrum Antifungal Therapeutics That Target Histidine Kinases
Organization: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF)
The incidence of invasive fungal infection has increased as the number of immunocompromised patients has increased. Patients at greater risk for severe fungal disease include those undergoing administration of broad-spectrum antibiotics, corticosteroids and cytotoxic agents; intravenous catheters; invasive medical procedures; and infection with the human immunodeficiency virus. Treatments for fungal infection have been developed; however, many currently available antifungal therapies are highly toxic. Additionally, ...
Novel Antimicrobial Compounds That May Inhibit Bacterial Resistance
Organization: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF)
Increasing numbers of pathogenic bacteria are becoming resistant to antibiotics. According to the Food and Drug Administration, approximately 70 percent of bacteria that cause infections in hospitals are resistant to at least one of the drugs commonly used to treat infections. The discovery of new antibacterial compounds is critical to fighting infectious disease. One option may be naturally occurring cationic peptides, such as magainins, which adopt secondary structures with both cationic and lipophilic regions. These ...
Recombinant, Attenuated Vaccine for <i>Blastomyces Dermatitidis</i> to Prevent Fungal Infection
Organization: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF)
Blastomyces dermatitidis and related fungi are found worldwide and produce progressive pulmonary and disseminated infections in both humans and animals (primarily dogs). Infectious B. dermatitidis converts to pathogenic yeast forms in vivo, which produce influenza or pneumonia, and disseminate, resulting in serious damage to the lungs and other organs and death to untreated individuals. Thus, there is the need for an effective vaccine against B. dermatitidis. UW-Madison researchers have successfully engineered an attenuated, ...
Polyene Antibiotics with Reduced Toxicity
Organization: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF)
Both superficial and systemic fungal infections are common in immunocompromised patients, such as HIV-infected individuals, patients receiving anticancer therapeutics or immunosuppressive drugs after organ transplants, and the elderly. Despite its low solubility and toxicity problems, the polyene antibiotic amphotericin B (AmB) remains the top choice for treating fungal infections. UW-Madison researchers have developed a method for reducing the toxicity of amphotericin B while retaining its potent antifungal activity. They encapsulated AmB ...
Triaryl Cation Antibiotic from Environmental DNA
Organization: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF)
Cultured microorganisms produce an extraordinary array of structurally diverse and useful organic compounds. However, cultured microbes represent only a small fraction of the microbial diversity present in any natural environment. To access the genes and gene products of uncultured microorganisms, large amounts of microbial DNA can be isolated directly from soil (environmental DNA) without culturing the microbes. UW-Madison researchers have developed triaryl cationic compounds obtained from uncultured soil microorganisms, which exhibit ...
Beta-Peptides with Antifungal Activity
Organization: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF)
Fungal infections, such as infections by the yeast Candida albicans, are a persistent health problem in some patient populations. Topical yeast infections affect the mouth, vagina, skin, stomach and urinary tract, producing unpleasant side effects. Systemic infections are a significant and often life-threatening clinical problem, particularly in patients with an indwelling intravascular catheter or those who are immunosuppressed. Both types of C. albicans infections can be treated with Amphotericin B, an antifungal agent that acts by ...
Method of Sensitizing Microbial Cells to Antimicrobial Compounds
Organization: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF)
Levels of antibiotic-resistant microbial organisms are increasing. The major mechanism of microbial resistance is decreased cell permeability, which includes the use of active drug efflux systems. Currently, the pharmaceutical industry combats the problem of antibiotic resistance by searching for new compounds that inhibit microorganisms. However, this approach does not address the underlying problem of altered permeability or the increased efflux capabilities of these organisms. UW-Madison researchers have developed a method for increasing ...
