Investigating Bacterial Resistance to Oxygen-Based Therapies | Gdańsk University of Technology

The grant, valued at nearly PLN 1.25 million, will enable Doctor Pierański to conduct research both at Gdańsk University of Technology and during a six-month research stay at the University Hospital in Ulm, Germany, within the laboratory of Prof. Barbara Spellerberg, a world-renowned expert in streptococcal biology.

- This grant represents a major opportunity, particularly as it is the first large-scale project of my postdoctoral career. The international internship was also a criterion evaluated by the reviewers. I will be joining a research center that aligns perfectly with the scope of my project. Prof. Spellerberg has extensive experience in generating streptococcal mutants, which is essential for my work - said Michał Pierański, PhD.

The research focuses on Streptococcus agalactiae, a primary etiological agent of severe infections in neonates, pregnant women, and the elderly. The presence of this bacterium in the human body may lead to neonatal meningitis, sepsis, and pneumonia, as well as severe infections of the urinary and reproductive tracts in adults. Although effective prophylactic measures are implemented in developed countries, they are not universally accessible. Doctor Pierański’s project aims to develop a method that could rapidly neutralize the threat posed by this pathogen—even during childbirth.

Antimicrobial photodynamic inactivation (aPDI)—which involves the application of light, oxygen, and photosensitizing agents—presents a promising alternative to conventional antibiotics. Bacterial cells subjected to this treatment are eradicated through oxidative stress, and to date, no resistance mechanisms have been reported. However, the emergence of tolerance may pose a significant challenge.

- What we have previously observed is the development of oxidative stress tolerance in bacteria. While these organisms can still be eliminated by extending the exposure time, this could be the initial step towards the development of resistance. In this project, I aim to identify the genes responsible for this process - explained Doctor Pierański.

The researcher plans to integrate two investigative strategies. The first involves the analysis of gene expression profiles during aPDI treatment, followed by the identification and targeted deletion of the most involved genes in subsequent experiments. The second strategy employs a library of randomly mutated bacterial strains, which will be screened for altered responses to therapy. The ability of gene-deficient bacteria to develop tolerance, as well as the role of these genes in biofilm formation, will then be assessed.

The findings of the project may significantly expand current knowledge on the survival strategies of Streptococcus agalactiae and support the development of more effective oxygen-based antimicrobial therapies.