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Updated: Feb 17, 2026
10:50
Design and Use of a Low Cost, Automated Morbidostat for Adaptive Evolution of Bacteria Under Antibiotic Drug Selection
Published on: September 27, 2016
10.2K
Switchable Control of Antibiotic Activity: A Shape-Shifting "Tail" Strategy
Jinming Chang1, Yi Chen1,2, Zhou Xu1
1Key Laboratory of Leather Chemistry and Engineering of Ministry of Education, Sichuan University , Chengdu, 610065, P.R. China.
Bioconjugate Chemistry
|December 13, 2017
Summary
Scientists developed a novel method to control antibiotic activity in Gram-negative bacteria. This approach uses a switchable molecular "tail" to regulate drug entry, potentially reducing environmental antibiotic buildup and resistance.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Molecular Biology
- Environmental Science
Background:
- Antibiotic resistance is a growing global health crisis.
- Sublethal antibiotic concentrations in the environment drive resistance development.
- Novel strategies are needed to inactivate antibiotics and reduce environmental exposure.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate a new molecular strategy for controlling antibiotic activity.
- To regulate antibiotic uptake into Gram-negative bacteria using external triggers.
- To provide a general approach for managing environmental antibiotic levels.
Main Methods:
- Developed a molecular system with a switchable, covalently attached
Main Results:
- Demonstrated a proof-of-principle for switchable control of antibiotic activity.
- Showcased regulation of antibiotic uptake via externally triggered shape-shifting of a molecular tail.
- Exploited the size-selectivity of bacterial porin channels for drug entry control.
Conclusions:
- This mechanically controlled system offers a novel way to manage antibiotic availability.
- The strategy can alleviate selection pressure for antibiotic resistance.
- This approach presents a general method for environmental antibiotic control.
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