Researchers from the Institute of Glycomics have been awarded more than $1,100,000 million in National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) grant funding to develop new antibiotics for the treatment of multidrug resistant gonorrhea infections.

Neisseria
Image/CDC

This funding enables the team to delve further into the chemistry and potential application of new “zinc-binder” drugs under development to target a range of significant drug resistant bacterial infections.

Sexually transmitted disease gonorrhea is caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae (Ng). Most gonococcal infections are asymptomatic and can lead to pelvic disease, infertility and increased risk of HIV co-transmission.

Due to the recent emergence of multidrug resistant superbugs, Ng is now classified as an immediate public-health threat. No vaccine is available.

Led by Institute for Glycomics Director Professor Mark von Itzstein AO, the research team will build on their key discovery that Ng is sensitive to zinc-binding/carrying compounds.

“Applying our extensive experience in the fields of drug discovery and Neisseria research, we aim to develop a novel class of antibiotics to treat gonorrhea and other bacterial infections,’’ Professor von Itzstein said.

Read more at Griffith University