Production of antimicrobial materials using algal-derived peptides and enzymes

Dr Lena Ciric (primary)
Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering
University College London
Prof Saul Purton (secondary)
Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology
University College London

Abstract

In the age of antibiotic resistance, prevention of the spread of pathogens is of huge importance. The environment (i.e. air, water, surfaces) can play an important role in the spread of pathogens. We propose to manufacture and validate the effectiveness of novel antimicrobial materials that can be deposited on surfaces or used for the filtration of air or water. Rather than using environmentally toxic antimicrobials such as metals, antibiotics and antiseptics, we propose to use bactericidal peptides or lytic enzymes produced using a low-cost algal expression system. These recombinant proteins are highly effective against the target pathogens, but harmless to the environment or other organisms.


References

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BBSRC Area
Molecules, cells and industrial biotechnology
Area of Biology
BiotechnologyMicrobiology
Techniques & Approaches
EngineeringGeneticsMicroscopy / ElectrophysiologyMolecular Biology