Matthew Grobbelaar

• CDT Doctoral Researcher Supervisor: Prof. Tim Blower
• Email: matthew.j.grobbelaar@durham.ac.uk
• Project Title: Synthetic antimicrobials based on natural toxins

Institution: Durham University

Project Summary: Tuberculosis remains the deadliest bacterial disease on the planet, killing around 1.5 million people each year. It can be treated, but antibiotic resistance is increasing. Mycobacterium tuberculosis can survive antibiotic treatment by slowing down its growth using naturally occurring toxins made inside tuberculosis cells. Some of these toxins target the essential process of untangling DNA after it replicates. We have characterised the topoisomerase enzyme that performs this untangling activity, and have shown that toxin inhibit its action. This project aims to generate atomic resolution models of toxin activity, so we can synthesise antimicrobial mimics for treating infections.
Interesting Fact: This isn’t my first time in the UK.