Researchers at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) have identified for the first time the culprit behind the cause of broad-spectrum bacterial resistance to peptide antibiotics - widely perceived as the last-line of defense against antibiotic-resistant bacteria, opening a new direction to the design of new drugs in tackling superbugs.
The discovery – made by Chair Professor from the Division of Life Science Prof. QIAN Pei-Yuan and his fellow researchers came in the best moment, as the team has also discovered that this enzyme which they identified as the cause of broad-spectrum bacteria resistance against peptide antibiotics, was actually found in not just a few, but many different strains of bacteria, sounding an alarm against persistent improper use of antibiotics. Read More...
The research team led by Prof. QIAN Pei-Yuan (second left) discovered for the first time that “D-stereospecific resistance peptidases” could render peptide antibiotics useless.
A team led by Prof. SUN Jianwei (Chemistry) discovered useful methods that could result in a more efficient and affordable production of the drugs...
A research team at HKUST has demonstrated that the growth and development of two marine invertebrates – the pollution-tolerant slipper limpets...