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Multidrug Resistance
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Bacterial Infection
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Multi-drug Efflux Pump
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Drug Discovery for Infectious Diseases
In recent years, infections caused by "drug-resistant" bacteria, which are difficult to treat, have been on the rise and have become a worldwide problem. People use antimicrobial agents for treatment, but bacterial cells become resistant and the drugs gradually become ineffective. The purpose of our research is to understand bacterial drug resistance mechanisms and to develop novel therapeutic strategies to overcome the problem of drug-resistant bacterial infections. In particular, we focus on the "drug efflux pumps" that allow bacteria to export drugs. We have identified many pump genes, found that they are involved in resistance, and that bacteria regulate the expression of these genes by sensing their environment. We are currently exploring the possibility of novel therapies to reduce drug resistance with the aim of developing drugs that inhibit these pumps. We are also working on the development of a new method to identify drug-resistant bacteria for early diagnosis and appropriate selection of antimicrobial agents. Our goal is to create a world without the burden of disease caused by infectious diseases.
Ryosuke Nakashima
Specially Appointed Associate Professor
Research Map
Martijn Zwam
Specially Appointed Associate Professor
Research Map
Drug efflux pump responsible for bacterial multidrug resistance. Antimicrobials are taken up through the multiple channels (CH1-4) of the pump and exported via drug-binding pockets and the tunnel.
Discrimination of Drug-Resistant Bacteria Using AI. Machine learning is used to discriminate between drug-resistant (left) and drug-susceptible (right) bacteria in electron microscope images, and the regions of interest are visualized as the basis of discrimination.
Current Research Topics
Mechanisms of bacterial drug resistance
Functional analysis of drug efflux pumps and development of inhibitors
Development of a new methods to identify drug-resistant bacteria
Physiological functions of efflux transporters and drug discovery
Lab Info
Department of Biomolecular Science and Regulation (Nishino Lab.)
