Microbial Drugs

The majority of the medically important antibiotic drugs are derived from secondary metabolites, which are produced by bacteria and filamentous fungi. Despite intensive world-wide efforts using alternative approaches, no other concept could so far surpass the historically successful strategy to exploit biologically active natural products as candidates for anti-infective drugs. The recently observed, increasing resistance of the human pathogens against antibiotics has prompted us to intensify our search for novel lead structures from microorganisms and fungi, which can be used as anti-infective drugs.

Leader

Microbiology / Strain Collection

The department has previously been actively working on the isolation of new bacteria but these activities have been abandoned since 2022. The research on the discovery of new bacterial metabolites has been transferred to HIPS Saarbrücken, and our department is now mainly in charge of scale-up and optimization of production of the most interesting compounds. In addition, we are in charge of maintenance and long-term preservation of the proprietary strain collection of the HZI, which includes Myxobacteria, Actinobacteria and filamentous fungi. These activities are being conducted in the biotechnology platform of the HZI.

Story: New drugs from fungi

HZI researchers traveled to Yaoundé, Cameroon, for a workshop on the collection, culture and identification of fungal strains. A new research hub will strengthen natural product research in fungi in the country. [read more]

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Video

  • How do researchers at the HZI and HIPS develop antibiotic candidates from natural products?

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