NoCURE: Novel Carbapenemases - UnRaveling the Enviromental reservoir
In this project, we will identify novel carbapenemase candidates using e.g. computational predictions of fragmented metagenomic DNA, functional metagenomics, and plasmid capture experiments.
Framework project funded by the Swedish Research Council VR 2014-2017 with 11.4 MSEK.
NoCure is led by Joakim Larsson in collaboration with Erik Kristiansson (Chalmers) and Örjan Samuelsen (University Hospital of North Norway).
The transfer of carbapenem resistance genes from harmless environmental microorganisms or human and animal commensals to pathogenic bacteria threatens the use of our last line of de-fense antibiotics. In this project, we will identify novel carbapenemase candidates using e.g. computational predictions of fragmented metagenomic DNA, functional metagenomics, and plasmid capture experiments. We will then characterize their structure, resistance and mobility potential. The research aims to increase our basic understanding of carbapenemases, including their abundance, diversity and transfer mechanisms. It will also address the patterns of co-resistance between carbapenems and other antibiotics and thereby enable more sustainable treatment strategies to avoid development of multi-resistant pathogens. Our results will also provide input to the evaluation and development of novel carbapenems or other antibiotic molecules less prone to resistance problems in the future.