Chemical Tools to Tackle Antimicrobial Resistance

Antimicrobial resistance is a major global threat to human health. The latest and most comprehensive analysis to date of the burden from AMR estimates that globally, 1.27 million deaths in 2019 could be directly attributed to AMR, and a further 4.95 million deaths were associated with AMR. Without immediate action, it has been predicted that AMR will put 10 million lives at risk annually by 2050, causing a cumulative loss of US$100 trillion of economic output. New strategies to combat the rise of AMR are therefore urgently required.

The goal of this interdisciplinary project is the development of novel chemical tools to study molecular mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance, and to identify novel approaches for antibiotics development. The project will involve the rational design and chemical synthesis of target molecules as well as their application and evaluation in relevant bioassays. The student will receive in-depth training in a broad range of experimental techniques including advanced organic synthesis, NMR spectroscopy, preparative and analytical chromatography, and in vitro assays.

The project is ideally suited for a student who wants to pursue a career in drug discovery, medicinal chemistry or chemical biology.