Profiling enzymatic activity in microbial pathogens: Revealing novel targets and strategies for therapies using ultrasensitive arrays of chemiluminescent probes.

• Applicants: Professor Dr. Micha Fridman; Professor Dr. Stephan A. Sieber
• Subject Area: Biological and Biomimetic Chemistry ; Inorganic Molecular Chemistry - Synthesis and Characterisation
• Term: since 2025
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 549425309

Background: Fungal and bacterial infections pose significant challenges to global human health, giving rise to a spectrum of diseases with diverse severity levels as these microorganisms infiltrate the body. The burden of bacterial and fungal pathogens on global economies is multifaceted, affecting healthcare systems, workforce productivity, agriculture, and the pharmaceutical industry. The ability to impact various organs and systems leads to enduring health complications, compounded by the rising prevalence of drug-resistant strains that diminish the efficacy of established antibiotics and antifungal medications. Control efforts face obstacles due to the adaptability and rapid evolution of priority bacterial and fungal pathogens, emphasizing the imperative need for ongoing research, innovative solutions, and global collaboration to address these persistent challenges, straining healthcare systems worldwide. Highlighting the escalating severity of the situation, the World Health Organization (WHO) conducted a groundbreaking multi-country public awareness survey on antimicrobial resistance (AR), revealing a significant global threat to public health. The 2017 release of the Global Priority Pathogens (GPP) list categorized 12 bacterial species based on resistance levels, emphasizing the urgent need to address AR as a top priority. In 2022, the WHO identified drug-resistant fungal pathogens, unveiling the Fungal Pathogen Priority List. These lists guide research and development initiatives, emphasizing the pressing need for heightened awareness, increased research investment, and the development of innovative diagnostic tools to precisely identify and characterize bacterial and fungal pathogens. Moreover, the urgency for previously unexplored small-molecule-based strategies to treat infectious diseases is underscored. This imperative will drive the development of new antimicrobial and anti-virulence agents, coupled with combination therapies, based on identified targets. This comprehensive approach is crucial in combating the rising challenges posed by antimicrobial resistance and fostering new and effective global strategies for infectious disease diagnosis, prevention, and treatment.

• DFG Programme: DIP Programme
• Subproject of: 28. Runde der Deutsch-Israelischen Projektkooperation (2025 - 2029)
• International Connection: Israel