Biochemistry Professor Published in Cell Press

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing global health crisis, with resistant bacteria posing a severe threat to public health. New research, published in the journal Cell, provides a foundation for developing next-generation antibiotics and innovative ways to target bacterial pathogens, tackling AMR at its core.

Dr. Mohan Babu, University of Regina professor of biochemistry and Chancellor’s Research Chair in Network Biology, working with a multi-disciplinary team of researchers from Canadian and American institutions, has produced a detailed map using AI machine learning, showing how small molecules (metabolites) interact with proteins in Escherichia coli (E. coli).  This map not only shows how these molecules influence bacterial processes but also provides a framework for designing tools to control them.

“Microbes are important — they’re the predominant life form on Earth — but what we’ve learned and the toolkit we’ve built can be generalized to other systems, like humans. And that’s where this work becomes particularly exciting,” said lead researcher Dr. Andrew Emili, professor of systems biology and oncological sciences in the Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) School of Medicine and OHSU Knight Cancer Institute research team.

This research improves understanding of how proteins and small molecules interact inside bacterial cells.

“By mapping these protein-metabolite networks, this research creates unprecedented opportunities to harness bacterial and microbial systems to fight diseases, improve health outcomes, and drive innovations in biotechnology,” says Dr. Babu.

When researchers reprogram bacteria to make medicines or other products, they often run into unexpected problems caused by small molecules that interfere with the process. Understanding the protein-metabolite interactions could help solve these problems and lead to better ways to control how cells work. Furthermore, it illuminates how the microbiome, bacteria living in and on us, communicates with our bodies through small molecules, influencing human health in ways we are just beginning to understand.

To arrange an interview with Dr. Babu, contact: Everett.Dorma@uregina.ca, ph.: 306-337-8451 or Mindy.Ellis@uregina.ca, ph.: 306-585-5422.