Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Harvard College

Boston University

Michael Andrew Lobritz

James Joseph Collins

Russell-John Krom

Arnaud Gutierrez

Prerna Saluja Bhargava

Provided herein, in some embodiments, are engineered phagemids that comprise at least one synthetic genetic circuit, wherein the at least one synthetic genetic circuit comprises gene sequences encoding at least one non-lytic antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and/or antibacterial toxin proteins, a stable origin of replication, and a bacteriophage-packaging signal, wherein the engineered phagemid does not comprise some or all gene sequences encoding bacteriophage proteins required for assembly of a bacteriophage particle.

Engineered phagemids

Provided herein are pharmaceutical compositions and kits useful for sensitizing a microorganism or a population of microorganisms to a quinolone antibiotic. In a particular aspect, a carbon source and an electron acceptor can sensitize an antibiotic persistent microorganism to treatment with a fluoroquinolone antibiotic. Methods for sensitizing a microorganism to a quinolone antibiotic, reducing the density-dependent persistence (DDP) of an antibiotic resistant microorganism, and reducing the number of persistent cells in a population are also provided. Theses compositions and methods are useful in treating infections resulting from high-density bacterial cultures, such as pneumonia, genitourinary infections, biofilms, prosthetic graft infections, sepsis, and endovascular infections.

Sensitization of bacterial cells to quinolone antibiotics

Growing community of inventors

Basel, Switzerland

Michael Andrew Lobritz