Precision Antibiotics and the Microbiome

The persistent rise in antibiotic-resistant bacterial pathogens necessitates the development of precision antibiotics that specifically and selectively kill bacterial pathogens. Research at CNSI represents a paradigm shift in the treatment and prevention of infectious diseases focused on the creation of “programmable” nanoparticle-based platforms for rapidly producing precision antibiotics.

Leading the Way

CNSI has taken a lead role in the recently announced US National Microbiome Initiative by partnering with the UCLA Microbiome Center to launch the Center for Nano-Microbiome Convergence to develop a new generation of tools and technologies for understanding and engineering the microbiomes that shape life on our planet.

Precision Antibiotics

Research in the development of precision antibiotics is focused on the creation of “programmable” nanoparticle-based platforms for rapidly producing precision antibiotics that specifically and selectively kill bacterial pathogens, including those that are resistant to current drugs.  In August 2016, the US had its first case of a bacterial infection that was resistant to every available antibiotic.  This is a global trend that is increasing unabated, and both big and small pharma are failing to innovate.  Our technology is the product of an integrated approach involving CNSI electron imaging and nanoengineering capabilities, and it represents a paradigm shift in the treatment and prevention of infectious diseases.

AFFILIATED FACULTY:     Andrea Kasko     Jeffery Miller      Gerard Wong     Hong Zhou

The Microbiome

Behaviors and functions of the unseen bacterial universe, the microbiome, are of vital importance to life on our planet. In partnership with the UCLA Microbiome Center, CNSI brings together UCLA investigators across departments and schools interested in microbiota. Its wide spectrum of expertise ranges from oral biology, mucosal inflammation, metabolism, skin, and brain-gut interactions.

AFFILIATED FACULTY:     Jonathan Braun     Elaine Hsiao     Jeffery Miller     Aydogan Ozcan     Paul Weiss     Hong Zhou