Characterization of the Antimicrobial Peptide GL13K

The abuse of antibiotic prescription and administration in humans, livestock, and agriculture has resulted in multidrug-resistant bacteria. One of the promising fields of study to find alternative treatment is antimicrobial peptide research. Among these peptides is GL13K, a thirteen amino-acid antimicrobial peptide that has been shown capable of killing bacteria without being harmful to humans. My research uses model membranes to mimic the compositional differences between bacterial and eukaryotic cells in order to study peptide-membrane interactions using an array of biophysical characterization techniques. The main technique that I would like to learn and apply to my systems is infra-red reflection absorption spectroscopy (IRRAS) as it is a surface-specific technique that enables us to isolate information about the structural changes that the peptides undergoes upon interaction with membranes. Using different peptides with altered amino acid sequences, this information will help us elucidate the structure-function-activity relationship for this antimicrobial peptide. Such information will be used to design new peptides with increased efficacy.

Faculty Supervisor:

Christine DeWolf

Student:

Partner:

Max-Planck-Institut für Kolloid- und Grenzflächenforschung

Discipline:

Physics

Sector:

Life Sciences (not health); Health and Related Sciences & Technology

University:

Concordia University

Program: