This supplement request describes the research and training plan for an underrepresented candidate with background in organic chemistry and an aspiration to become an independent investigator in medicinal chemistry with plans to join a Ph.D. program in the United States. The candidate will learn novel chemistries, chemical biology, biophysical techniques, with emphasis on antimicrobial synthesis, development and efficacy determination to identify novel rRNA binding antibacterial therapeutics. The success of the proposed work would be a significant addition to currently available approaches in antibacterial therapy and train a promising candidate in biomedical sciences.
The proposed project presents a mentoring and training strategy in the development of novel antimicrobials with novel rRNA discriminating recognition oligomers. Antimicrobial resistance occurs when microorganisms (often infectious bacteria, viruses, and certain parasites) are no longer sensitive to drugs that were previously used to treat them; this is of global concern because it hampers our ability to control infectious disease and increases the costs of health care. In order to combat this world-wide problem, innovative strategies for antibiotic drug design must be implemented. The proposed research describes such a mentoring and training plan using novel antimicrobial compounds that evade common resistance pathways.
