Newly discovered bacterial communication system aids antimicrobial resistance
SMART researchers find the enzyme RlmN, which directly senses chemical and environmental stresses, can be targeted in drug development.
A novel combination therapy counters antibiotic-resistant Mycobacterium abscessus infections
SMART researchers combine rifaximin and clarithromycin to effectively restore the latter drug's efficacy.
Using AI, scientists find a drug that could combat drug-resistant infections
The machine-learning algorithm identified a compound that kills Acinetobacter baumannii, a bacterium that lurks in many hospital settings.
A novel combination therapy for treating vancomycin-resistant bacterial infections
Developed at SMART, the therapy stimulates the host immune system to more effectively clear bacterial infections and accelerate infected wound healing.
Christopher Walsh, influential chemical biologist and former department chair at MIT, dies at 79
Beloved professor and “titan of chemical biology” spent 15 years on the MIT faculty, leading the Department of Chemistry from 1982 to 1987.
Analyzing the potential of AlphaFold in drug discovery
Study finds computer models that predict molecular interactions need improvement before they can help identify drug mechanisms of action.
Nanoparticle sensor can distinguish between viral and bacterial pneumonia
Using this diagnostic, doctors could avoid prescribing antibiotics in cases where they won’t be effective.
New gels could help the medicine go down
Mixing drugs into oil-based gels could offer relief for children and adults who have trouble swallowing pills.
Engineered bacteria could help protect “good” gut microbes from antibiotics
Microbes that safely break down antibiotics could prevent opportunistic infections and reduce antibiotic resistance.
SMART researchers discover unique lysin capable of killing multidrug-resistant bacteria
Novel lysin Abp013 has shown promising antimicrobial ability against Acinetobacter baumannii and Klebsiella pneumoniae.
Study sheds light on antibiotics-associated diarrhea
SMART researchers find explanation for why some patients might experience diarrhea after taking amoxicillin-clavulanate.
Chemical synthesis yields potential antibiotic
A new strategy for producing a natural compound could also be used to generate variants with even stronger antimicrobial activity.
Protein structure offers clues to drug-resistance mechanism
A new study sheds light on how a protein pumps toxic molecules out of bacterial cells.
2021-22 Takeda Fellows: Leaning on AI to advance medicine for humans
New fellows are working on electronic health record algorithms, remote sensing data related to environmental health, and neural networks for the development of antibiotics.
Illuminating the history and global story of antibiotics
HASTS PhD student Rijul Kochhar tracks changing medical and microbial realities, and examines what they portend for society.