Aberdeen collaborates to tackle MRSA
A dermatologist, microbiologist, pharmacologist and a biotechnology company have joined forces on research into a new topical treatment for bacterial skin infections including MRSA. The University of Aberdeen’s Schools of Medicine & Dentistry and Medical Sciences, NHS Grampian and Aberdeen-based biotech Novabiotics are collaborating on the work, which is being funded by BBSRC - Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council via a CASE PhD studentship. Dr Anthony Ormerod, Honorary Consultant Dermatologist, NHS Grampian and Clinical Reader, Division of Applied Medicine, University of Aberdeen, said: “Hospitals and healthcare settings in the UK have introduced stringent hygiene measures to tackle MRSA and this has seen the rate of infection drop considerably. However, once contracted, MRSA is very difficult to treat and, aside from the health risks for patients, contracting the bacterium extends a patient’s stay in hospital and adds to the burden on our health service. He continued, “Our skin is our first defence against infections like MRSA, but if your skin has a wound, bacteria can get in which is why in clinical practice we are very dependent on hygiene and alcohol rubs for your hands, and on antibiotics for serious infections, although many bacteria are resistant to antibiotics. There is a huge gap between alcohol gels and antibiotics with no effective therapies in-between for infections like MRSA.” Dr Gail Ferguson, a Senior Lecturer in Medical Microbiology and Translational Medicine at the University of Aberdeen, said, “Our long-term goal is to come up with an entirely new topical treatment for MRSA and other bacterial skin infections which would be used together with existing methods." Professor Ruth Ross, a University of Aberdeen pharmacologist also involved in the project, commented, “The University of Aberdeen’s new Kostertliz Centre for Therapeutics is dedicated to working together with industry to produce valuable new treatments and the Novabiotics partnership is an exciting new opportunity for drug discovery in Aberdeen.” The research project begins this month following the appointment of PhD student Laura Katvars. Find out more about postgraduate study at the University of Aberdeen. Looking for funding for postgraduate studies in 2012? Check out the exclusive bursaries on offer from Postgrad Solutions. Content added on 14th October 2011. |
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Researchers from the University of Aberdeen are collaborating with a biotechnology company to research treatment for MRSA and skin infections.