Despite attractive, ionizing radiations cannot be directly applied in the treatment of bacterial infections since bacteria are extremely insensitive to radiations. The lethal radiation dose for bacteria is at least 1,000 times higher than the whole-body lethal dose for human. In this R21 project, we propose a novel intracellular radiation approach to activate a secondary and local radiation inside of bacteria to damage chromosomal DNAs selectively and specifically. The underlying hypothesis of this project is that: this intracellular radiation can overcome the radiation resistance in bacteria, and the intracellular radiation by itself or in combination with antibiotics may become an effective means to kill antibiotic resistance bacteria. The primary goal of this grant is to achieve the """"""""proof-of-concept"""""""" via well designed in vitro studies. The success of this project may provide a new approach for improved the treatment of bacterial infections and various infection related diseases.

Public Health Relevance

Intracellular Radiation as a Novel Approach for Infection Treatment Narrative Bacteria is resistant to ionizing radiations. The lethal radiation dose (1,000 Gy to 6,000 Gy) for bacteria is far beyond the whole-body lethal dose for human (5 Gy) and thus limits the potential applications of ionizing radiation in the treatment of antibiotics resistance. In this project, we propose a novel intracellular radiation approach to overcome the radiation resistance in bacteria and explore the clinical applications of radiations in the treatment of bacterial infections and various infection related diseases.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Exploratory/Developmental Grants (R21)
Project #
5R21AI079608-02
Application #
7895524
Study Section
Drug Discovery and Mechanisms of Antimicrobial Resistance Study Section (DDR)
Program Officer
Korpela, Jukka K
Project Start
2009-07-17
Project End
2012-06-30
Budget Start
2010-07-01
Budget End
2012-06-30
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2010
Total Cost
$216,250
Indirect Cost
Name
Stevens Institute of Technology
Department
Chemistry
Type
Schools of Engineering
DUNS #
064271570
City
Hoboken
State
NJ
Country
United States
Zip Code
07030
Traba, Christian; Chen, Long; Liang, Danni et al. (2013) Insights into discharge argon-mediated biofilm inactivation. Biofouling 29:1205-13
Traba, Christian; Chen, Long; Liang, Jun F (2013) Low power gas discharge plasma mediated inactivation and removal of biofilms formed on biomaterials. Curr Appl Phys 13:S12-S18
Traba, Christian; Liang, Jun F (2011) Susceptibility of Staphylococcus aureus biofilms to reactive discharge gases. Biofouling 27:763-72