PSEUDOMONAS VIRULENCE: Microbiological and structural strategies for the diagnostic and epidemiology of pseudomonas aeruginosa infections

• Research unit: EU RFP
• Project number: 01.0122

Key words (English)

Pseudomonas aeruginosa; nosocomial infection; epidemiology; virulence; antibiotic resistance;
Life Sciences; Medicine; Health; Safety; Scientific Research; Social Aspects

Alternative project number (English)

EU project number: QLK2-CT-2001-01339

Research programs (English)

EU-programme: 5. Frame Research Programme - 1.1.2 Control of infectious diseases

Short description (English)

See abstract

Further information (English)

Full name of research-institution/enterprise:
Université de Genève
Faculté de Médecine
Département de Microbiologie et Médecine Moléculaire

Partners and International Organizations (English)

Coordinator: Centre nat. de la rech. scientifique (F)

Abstract (English)

Infections with Pseudomonas aeruginosa are a major burden for human health and economy. This bacterium is an important cause for nosocomial (hospital acquired) infections, particularly in intensive care units, burns units, neonatal units, and wards housing leukaemia and other cancer patients. This proposal is a concerted effort to link medical and structural biology.

The aims of this project are:
1)to develop diagnostic tests based on DNA chip technology that allow surveillance and infection control;
2) to identify the genomic and expression signatures of particularly virulent strains for future pathotyping of P. aeruginosa;
3) to produce crystal structures of active efflux systems of P. aeruginosa involved in mechanism such as multidrug resistance. Efflux pump inhibitors combined with existing antibiotics could increase the susceptibility of P. areuginosa to such
4) to identify new virulence factors using the new host system c. elegans.

References in databases (English)

Swiss Database: Euro-DB of the
State Secretariat for Education and Research
Hallwylstrasse 4
CH-3003 Berne, Switzerland
Tel. [phone]
Swiss Project-Number: 01.0122