UC Santa Cruz

“Characterizing uropathogenic E.coli (UPEC) antibiotic resistance (ABR) conferring mutations and effects on drug binding interactions of fluoroquinolones”

ABSTRACT

Uropathogenic E.coli (UPEC) is one of the most common pathogens to infect humans, most%0D%0Apopular for causing urinary tract infections. If left untreated, UPEC can travel through the%0D%0Abladder, to the kidney, where it can hitch a ride in the renal artery, causing a globalized infection%0D%0Athrough the bloodstream, known as sepsis, which is incredibly challenging to treat.%0D%0AFluoroquinolones, the class of antibiotics used to treat UPEC worldwide, has been less effective%0D%0Ain recent years due to mutations that have arisen in their target enzymes, causing antibiotic%0D%0Aresistance. My research uses a multidisciplinary approach to uncover the mechanisms of action%0D%0Aof these mutations and how exactly they interfere with drug binding with respect to the unique%0D%0Achemical structure of fluoroquinolones.