Abstract: This talk will focus on the significant challenges posed by bacterial pathogens that have evolved to inhabit mammalian cells, such as phagocytic macrophages. Within these intracellular safe haven’s bacteria, such as Mycobacterium, form a repository and are able to evade the host immune response as well as a number of antibiotic drugs. We have developed a class of molecules, cationic amphiphilic polyproline helices (CAPHs), that have a dual mode of action: non-lytic antibacterial activity with the ability to localize within mammalian cells. These agents efficiently target and kill pathogenic intracellular bacteria, including Salmonella and Brucella, within human macrophages.

This seminar is sponsored by the College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Basic Medical Sciences and Institute for Drug Discovery.