Synthetic biology for engineering endolysins as tailored antimicrobials

Purpose and goal:

The project´s aim is to develop tailor-made endolysins as antimicrobial agents against multi-resistant bacterial pathogens. The goal is to utilize synthetic biology to create and test chimeric endolysins that can overcome limitations of conventional antibiotics and effectively combat resistant bacteria and biofilms.

Expected results and effects:

The project is expected to lead to new antimicrobial solutions with a low risk of developing resistance. By developing protein-based therapies that break down naturally, the risk of environmental impact is reduced. It can also contribute to improved health and reduced healthcare costs by offering effective alternatives to current antibiotics.

Approach and implementation:

The project will be divided into four work packages: design and construction of synthetic enzymes, selection and production of active variants, evaluation of antibacterial activity against planktonic cells, and evaluation of antibacterial activity against biofilm-forming cells. By combining advanced techniques in synthetic biology and protein production, the project will perform experimental proof-of-concept to achieve Technology Maturity Level 3 (TRL 3).