E. faecalis is present in the human gut and is one of the most widespread causes when it comes to hospital-associated infections. The infection can further lead to several life-threatening diseases such as endocarditis (infection of the heart), wound infections, bacteremia (bloodstream infection), catheter-associated urinary tract infection, and it might also cause resistance to drugs. Even though the disease is serious, no methods present may help to understand and prevent this problem. This is because E. Faecalis biofilm formation and subsequent development are labor-intensive as well as time-consuming.
A team of researchers has recently tried to solve this problem by developing a tool with the help of CRISPRi technology. This is a huge development in Hospital Acquired Infections Control Market. The new tool might enable understanding and prevention of biofilm development, drug resistance, and other different physiological behaviors common to the bacteria like Enterococcus faecalis.
The Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART), Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) research team designed an easily modifiable technique and allowed the rapid and efficient suppressing of bacteria genes to prevent infections. In 2007, SMART was set up by MIT in partnership with National Research Foundation (NRF) Singapore. It is the first entity that became part of the Campus for Research Excellence and Technological Enterprise (CREATE) program and was developed by NRF. SMART operates as an intellectual and innovation hub where research conversations take place between MIT and Singapore. Scientists take cutting-edge research projects that are of consequence to both MIT and Singapore.
The team stated that the CRISPRi system is scalable dual-vector nisin-inducible and can help identify genes that allow bacteria like E. Faecalis to make biofilms and acquire antibiotic resistance, cause infections, and evade the host immune system. The team experimented by combining CRISPRi technology with rapid DNA assembly under controllable promoters. This facilitated quick silencing of single or multiple genes to examine all aspects of enterococcal biology.
Infections that E. Faecalis cause are typically antibiotic tolerant and much harder to treat. As a result, the infection is seen as a great threat to public health. It is necessary to identify genes that are present in the bacterial process as it might enable the discovery of new drug targets. Moreover, it could also help in forming anti-microbial strategies to help in treating such infections or reduce antimicrobial resistance.
Clusters of bacteria that are encircled in a protective, self-produced matrix are referred to as bacterial biofilms. Researchers designed a system that allowed them to investigate different stages of the biofilm development cycle of E. faecalis. Through selective silencing of specific genes in mature, pre-formed biofilms, the structure can be eroded and forced to disperse.
The scalable CRISPRi system uses a high-throughput screen which helps in the rapid identification of gene combinations to target efficient and unique anti-microbial combinatorial therapies.
The team is optimistic that their new tool will help the rapid and efficient investigation of several aspects of pathogenesis and enterococcal biology, interspecies communication, and host-bacterium interactions. The method can be increased to simultaneously perform full-genome studies or silence multiple bacterial genes.
Other Related Reports:
Global Acinetobacter Infections Treatment Market 2021 by Manufacturers, Regions, Type and Application, Forecast to 2026
Global Pneumococcal Infections Vaccine Industry 2016 Market Research Report
Global Hospital-Treated Gram-Negative Infections Market Growth (Status and Outlook) 2020-2025
