Achievement

Aminoglycosides are a class of compounds that exhibit toxicity against bacterial cells by binding to the small ribosomal subunit, eventually causes cell death, thus making aminoglycosides potent antibiotics. However, the limitation of widespread use of these compounds as antibiotics is due to severe toxicity that can result in kidney damage and/or deafness. To address this issue, a nanoparticle-based approach is being investigated by IGERT trainee Mike Cuccarese. Clinically available aminoglycoside, gentamicin, has been encapsulated within chitosan nanoparticle to help improve bioavailability and decrease toxicity. In addition, several novel aminoglycoside analogues are also being developed. Preliminary results indicate successful encapsulation of gentamicin within chitosan nanoparticles with high loading efficiency and a very tight control on the size distribution.