Establishment of an analytical sciences facility for dna sequencing and molecular studies of new chemotherapeutic targets in microorganisms and the use of metagenomics for the isolation and identification of new microbial-derived antibiotics

• Grant number: 09/54099-2
• Support Opportunities: Multi-user Equipment Program
• Start date: October 01, 2010
• End date: September 30, 2012
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Biochemistry - Metabolism and Bioenergetics
• Principal Investigator: Sergio Akira Uyemura
• Grantee: Sergio Akira Uyemura
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto (FCFRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil
• EMU web page: Página do Equipamento Multiusuário não informada
• Type of equipment: Tipo de Equipamento Multiusuário não informado
• Manufacturer: Fabricante não informado
• Model: Modelo não informado

Abstract

In the last two decades, opportunistic infections caused by microorganisms have often been diagnosed inimmunocompromised patients and are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in hospitalized patients the world over. With the rapid increase in the number of AIDS cases, the incidence of some diseases, such as those caused by microorganisms, has increased drastically. In addition to the high incidence of opportunistic infections, the number of multidrug-resistant microorganisms is one of the principal challenges in the treatment of these diseases. The molecular aspects involved in such multidrug- resistance include modifications of the target enzymes, overexpression of genes integrons, transposons, and stress response proteins. In this context, the discovery of new chemotherapeutic agents, particularly those that act via multiple metabolic pathways, as well as improving the understanding of their mechanisms of action is of great therapeutic importance. Therefore, it is essential the introduction of new classes of more selective and less toxic drugs, active on multidrugresistant microorganisms, into clinical practice. However, the majority of the new therapeutic agents introduced are based on the already known chemotherapeutic targets and, in recent years, practically no new targets have been described, making it difficult to control the mechanisms of resistance. Nevertheless, the introduction of new techniques creates new possibilities for studies in areas such as pharmacogenomics, bioinformatics, molecular modeling, profile of expression/transcriptome profiling, proteomics, and metagenomics. The associated projects involve the study of new targets for the treatment of microorganisms, using molecular approaches, use of metagenomics for the isolation and identification of new microbial-derived antibiotics, and the study of the molecular mechanisms of resistance involved in multidrugresistant bacteria. Therefore, having the possibility to conduct large-scale sequencing at the institution is essential for the development of these projects, as well as of the complementary projects, or even new projects, in this area. (AU)