Session: Undergraduate Research Posters: Medicinal Chemistry:

Staphylococcus aureus is a gram-positive pathogen that causes systemic and soft tissue infections in humans and livestock through the formation of antibiotic resistance. Although commonly associated with healthcare settings, S. aureus has been identified as a main cause of community infections as well. Worldwide outbreaks of both the hospital and community infections have been reported. Unfortunately, S. aureus has already become resistant to multiple antibiotics such as β-lactams, cephalosporins, penicillin, and vancomycin limiting treatment options. Our research is focused on exploring possible antibiotic adjuvants to effectively restore antibiotic sensitivity by targeting the PASTA kinase Stk1. This kinase is known to regulate genes expressed in β-lactam resistance. We have screened and discovered multiple potent compounds with similar structures shown to inhibit the kinase domain of Stk1 resulting in potentiation of β-lactam resistant strains. These screenings identified detailed structure-activity relationships and novel antibiotic potentiation activities. Biological data will be presented.

Dr. Heather Miller

Associate Professor of Biochemistry, High Point University

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