Developing nanovehicles to target persistent tuberculosis bacteria

Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacterium causing tuberculosis (TB) is the deadliest bacterium on the planet. Decades of research have to date not produced sufficient solutions to get rid of this devastating disease. Currently available antibiotic treatments are generally not able to fully cure TB. Persistent bacteria remain in the body and may cause TB disease later on. Persistent bacteria are known to be common in so-called bacterial biofilms, where bacteria produce a thick layer of material around them and are dividing extremely slowly. Tubeculosis bacteria have been shown to form such biofilms with large amounts of persistent bacteria. In this study, I will develop entirely new experimental strategies to more efficiently kill such persister bacteria in mycobacterial biofilms. I will bring together multiple areas of expertise to create mycobacterium-specific nanovehicles composed of combinations of nanobodies, enzymes and nanoparticles and test them against persisting mycobacteria.