Why is this research important for Alberta ag?
The need for new antibiotics grows indefinitely with antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in pathogens. Accordingly, the pursuit of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), an underutilized drug class, has intensified. Specifically, their multifactorial rapid modes of action and the observation that AMR pathogens show increased sensitivity to AMPs have positioned this class for more robust research and development.
Researchers recently discovered a set of broad spectrum AMPs based on bacterial virulence factors. These peptides can be converted into antibiotics and recent modifications have resulted in narrow spectrum AMPs. Thus, this project plans to optimize a novel Mannheimia-specific AMP, comparing its activity to well-characterized broad spectrum bacterial and mammalian AMPs.
It's hypothesized that there are conserved adaptive mechanisms of AMP resistance. Researchers will identify mechanisms of AMP resistance using next-generation sequences of mutant bacteria selected to resist a set of three distinct AMPs in laboratory. These experiments will also report on pathogen-specific mechanisms of AMP resistance, and researchers will evaluate three distinct bacterial genera that commonly infect food animals: Mannheimia, Staphylococcus, and Streptococcus.
The results of this study (the generation of a Mannheimia-specific AMP and a catalogue of anticipated AMP-resistance mechanisms) will inform on the bacterial targets of AMPs, their potential use in agriculture, and forecast resistance mechanisms that may derail their utility.
What benefits can producers expect from this research?
This project aims to provide an alternative to conventional antibiotics and leverage a general fitness cost associated with AMR pathogens. Thus, a major benefit of this project is a contribution towards minimizing the effects of AMR, highlighting the willingness of agriculture stakeholders to contribute to solutions to the AMR crisis.
How will these research findings reach producers on-farm?
Results will be shared through oral and poster presentations at local, national, and international research conferences as well as industry stakeholder events.