title: Combinatorial genetic technology for the development of new anti-infectives.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We previously developed a novel technology known as instant evolution for high-throughput analysis of mutations in Escherichia coli ribosomal RNA.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To develop a genetic platform for the isolation of new classes of anti-infectives that are not susceptible to drug resistance based on the instant evolution system.
  
  
  METHODS
  Mutation libraries were constructed in the 16S rRNA gene of E coli and analyzed. In addition, the rRNA genes from a number of pathogenic bacteria were cloned and expressed in E coli. The 16S rRNA genes were incorporated into the instant-evolution system in E coli.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Department of Biological Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, Mich.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ribosome function was assayed by measuring the amount of green fluorescent protein produced by ribosomes containing mutant or foreign RNA in vivo.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We have developed a new combinatorial genetic technology (CGT) platform that allows high-throughput in vivo isolation and analysis of rRNA mutations that might lead to drug resistance. This information is being used to develop anti-infectives that recognize the wild type and all viable mutants of the drug target. CGT also provides a novel mechanism for identifying new drug targets.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Antimicrobials produced using CGT will provide new therapies for the treatment of infections caused by human pathogens that are resistant to current antibiotics. The new therapeutics will be less susceptible to de novo resistance because CGT identifies all mutations of the target that might lead to resistance during the earliest stages of the drug discovery process.
authors.affiliation: First Department of Pediatrics, University of Athens, St Sophia Children's Hospital, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Eleftheria
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Laios
authors.forename: Marny
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Waddington
authors.forename: Ashesh A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Saraiya
authors.forename: Kris Ann
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Baker
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: O'Connor
authors.forename: Deepika
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pamarathy
authors.forename: Philip R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Cunningham
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism*; D024881:Drug Resistance, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics; D005821:Genetic Techniques; D006801:Humans; D016296:Mutagenesis / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents