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Our Work

Research projects in the McDevitt group broadly investigate the interaction of pathogenic bacteria with the host environment. Our work examines the chemical biology at the host-pathogen interface with a particular focus on how host modulation of essential metal ions has shaped bacterial metal homeostatic mechanisms. 

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We are using findings from these projects to develop innovative new therapeutics and novel strategies to tackle antimicrobial resistant bacterial infections.

Developing novel antibacterial ionobiotics

Antibiotic-resistant bacterial pathogens represent an imminent global threat to human health. The McDevitt lab has used our understanding of bacterial chemical biology to develop ionobiotics as a new antimicrobial therapeutic strategy. Ionobiotics break multidrug resistance in high-priority bacterial pathogens and restore the ability of antibiotics to treat drug-resistant pneumonia and sepsis infections.

The roles of metal ions in host-pathogen interactions

Scavenging metal ions from the host is a crucial facet of bacterial infection. Recent research has revealed that the innate immune system can manipulate the availability of certain metal ions during infection to either starve or poison the invading bacteria. Our research investigates which metal ions are modulated by the host during infection and how the changing chemical biology landscape impacts the viability and virulence of bacterial pathogens. 

Understanding how metal ions traverse the bacterial cell membrane

Metal ions are essential for the chemistry that occurs within every cell in all forms of life. Pathogenic bacteria steal their essential metals from the host during infection to enable disease. The McDevitt lab is investigating the transporters of essential metals, such as manganese, iron, and zinc, in high priority pathogens such as Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Characterising the cellular roles of metals

Advancements in the field of bacterial chemical biology have been limited due to a lack of capabilities beyond traditional probes. Traditionally,  this has restricted the field to the use of non-physiological model systems. Work in the McDevitt lab combines innovative methodologies and technical approaches to directly address unresolved questions regarding how bacterial organisms prioritise metal ion allocation and distribution during metal dyshomeostasis, and the specific molecular targets of metal toxicity.

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