Current research
Chronic and recurrent infections are often caused by multidrug resistant and tolerant bacteria, also called persisters, which cause a global healthcare crisis to be addressed urgently. The bacterial “alarmone” molecule (p)ppGpp is one of the key signaling molecules critical for persister cell formation. Deep understanding of the underlying mechanisms is anticipated to provide valuable insights which could be exploited to counteract persistent bacterial cells. However, the exact mechanisms operating remain largely unknown. We recently used the systems biology tool, DRaCALA, and identified one third more novel (p)ppGpp binding proteins in E. coli (1). Subsequent study (2) of one target protein PpnN deciphered a delicate molecular mechanism that E. coli, and probably many other bacteria, use to balance bacterial proliferation and persistence. Studies of other identified (p)ppGpp target proteins are undergoing.