Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)

The Fishwick group have long recognized the need for continued basic and translational research to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The 2016 UK Government report by Jim O’Neill suggested that: 

1) By 2050, there would be approximately 10 million deaths globally from AMR, overtaking cancer and cardiovascular disease; 

2) No new Gram-negative antibiotic drug class has been discovered since 1987 (daptomycin). 

Our research group has over twenty years' experience of working in the area of antibacterial drug discovery, together with University of Leeds colleague's Dr Katie Simmons, Professor Alex O’Neill and Professor Ian Chopra (now retired). Previous projects include targeting MurA-F (in collaboration with Novartis), D-ala-D-ala ligase and RNA polymerase. 

Current projects include: 

DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV: Working with Professor Tony Maxwell (John Innes Centre) to identify new molecules targeting a novel allosteric binding site distinct from the fluoroquinolone binding site. This holds great promise as a viable route to overcome fluoroquinolone resistance in the clinic. 

Topoisomerase II: Working with Professor Kelly Chibale (University of Cape Town) to address the lack of new treatments for tuberculosis (TB), we have identified the topoisomerase II as an essential but underexploited target to therapeutic invention. We have identified a ‘hit’ compound which we are characterizing biophysically. 

Bacterial ribosome: Working with Professor Alex O’Neill (University of Leeds) we are aiming to broaden the spectrum of the oxazolidinone class of antibiotics (Linezolid, Tedizolid), using an approach to increase compound ingress to overcome efflux. 

For further information, please contact Colin Fishwick or Martin McPhillie.