The WHO has declared antibiotic resistance one of the greatest problems facing human health. A major hurdle hampering antibacterial drug discovery is our current limited understanding of the features required of an enzyme inhibitor to deliver it across the bacterial envelope to reach its intracellular target(s). This project aims to precisely delineate the physico-chemical properties required of small molecules to traverse the bacterial cell envelope, and to avoid being transported out of the cell. Thus, this studentship involves cutting-edge research conducted at the interface between biology and chemistry, and has the potential to drive a revolution in antibacterial drug discovery.
