Since the mid-20th century, the discovery of new antibiotics has stagnated, even though many bacteria are becoming increasingly resistant. Most antibiotics target only a few cellular structures, allowing bacteria to develop diverse resistance strategies.
The team led by Stephan Sieber focuses on discovering new targets for antibiotics. They utilize synthetic chemistry, functional proteomics, microbiology, and protein biochemistry to find new antibacterial targets and identify and optimize new active compounds.
In the 29th Hans Herloff Inhoffen Lecture on June 13, during the awarding of the 2024 Inhoffen Medal, Prof. Sieber explained how bacterial resistance can be overcome using chemical molecules. His strategy damages the bacterial cell by deregulating biochemical processes. One developed molecule overactivates a peptidase responsible for protein secretion, leading to cell destruction.
The Inhoffen Prize, endowed with 8000 euros, is considered the most prestigious German award in natural product chemistry and is awarded by the support association of the HZI.
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