Project: Quantitative measurement and imaging of drug-uptake by bacteria with antimicrobial resistance

In Europe, antimicrobial resistance is responsible for approximately 25 000 deaths a year with annual treatment and social costs estimated at around €1.5 billion. Drug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria are responsible for two thirds of these deaths and a key measurement challenge surrounds the effective penetration of antibiotic drugs into the bacteria. These bacteria have a double membrane and protein pumps that rapidly remove antimicrobial drugs that penetrate the membrane, before they can take effect. Although many of the molecular mechanisms involved in these steps are known, the dynamics of each step are unclear. This project will develop innovative measurement capabilities that will be able to quantify and image the penetration of drugs into Gram-negative bacteria and measure the accumulation and removal of the drug. The tools and understanding generated will provide vital help to scientists optimising antimicrobial drugs to combat these deadly bacteria.

Acronym 15HLT01 MetVBadBugs (Reference Number: 15HLT01)
Duration 01/05/2016 - 01/05/2019
Project Topic Metrology
Project Results
(after finalisation)
See Website
Website visit project website
Network EMPIR
Call EMPIR CALL 2015

Project partner

Number Name Role Country
1 NPL Management Limited Coordinator United Kingdom
2 Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung Partner Germany
3 Cesky Metrologicky Institut Partner Czech Republic
4 Department of Health Partner United Kingdom
5 Istituto Nazionale di Ricerca Metrologica Partner Italy
6 Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt Partner Germany
7 Laboratorio Europeo di Spettroscopie Non Lineari Partner Italy
8 The University of Nottingham Partner United Kingdom
9 The Francis Crick Institute Limited Observer United Kingdom
10 GlaxoSmithKline Research and Development Ltd. Observer United Kingdom
11 ION-TOF Technologies GmbH Observer Germany
12 Smith & Nephew Medical Limited Observer United Kingdom
13 Specs Surface Nano Analysis GmbH Observer Germany