Enzyme-responsive self-assembling antimicrobial peptides for the eradication of biofilm-associated persister cells in diabetic foot ulcer infection
Supervisors
Dr Linda B. Oyama, Queens University Belfast
Dr Jason Brown, University of Glasgow
Dr Lucia Lombardi, Queens University Belfast
Dr Amy Saunders, Lancaster University
Summary
Bacteria living in biofilms can survive antibiotics without being genetically resistant. A small group, knownas persister cells, becomes dormant during treatment and starts growing again afterwards. These cells
contribute to recurring chronic infections, but we still do not fully understand how to eliminate them.
This project will investigate persister cells in diabetic foot ulcer infections, where complex biofilms containing bacteria such as MRSA can make infections difficult to treat. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are
promising because they can kill dormant cells by attacking their membranes. However, enzymes found in chronic wounds can rapidly break them down.
The project will turn this challenge into a new treatment strategy. The student will engineer AMPs that respond to infection-associated enzymes by self-assembling at the wound site, creating a concentrated
antimicrobial material that can penetrate and kill biofilms. Lead candidates will be tested against clinical isolates in multi-species wound biofilms and 3D human skin models, examining both antimicrobial activity and effects on inflammation and wound healing.
The student will gain interdisciplinary training in antimicrobial discovery, peptide engineering, biofilm microbiology and skin immunology