Bacterial infections, particularly those caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, pose a significant challenge in managing cystic fibrosis (CF). These infections lead to chronic respiratory issues, exacerbating the condition and reducing the quality of life for people with CF. Developing novel treatments to address bacterial infections is crucial for improving patient outcomes and enhancing their overall well-being.

The project aims to target the quorum sensing systems in P. aeruginosa, a communication system that allows bacteria to grow in colonies and to adapt to challenging external stimuli such as antibiotic exposure or the immune system. The goal is to disrupt the communication process, in order to battle P. aeruginosa’s ability to grow in biofilm and to produce virulence factors.
The researchers will focus on discovering and synthesizing new antivirulence compounds specifically targeting PqsR, a critical regulator in P. aeruginosa bacterial communities. They already discovered and characterized PqsR modulators that impact biofilm formation and virulence factor production in P. aeruginosa strains under CF-like conditions, without cytotoxic effects.
The methodology of this project involves designing and testing the compounds for their efficacy in inhibiting virulence factor production and biofilm formation. In vitro assays will be performed to evaluate these compounds’ potency and safety profile.  in vivo in modelli animali (in collaborazione con il Servizio CFaCore di FFC Ricerca).
Successfully targeting PqsR could lead to the development of therapies that alleviate symptoms and combat the underlying causes of chronic respiratory infections.
In perspective, this research may pave the way for personalized therapies tailored to target specific bacterial strains prevalent in the airways of people with CF, ultimately improving their quality of life and prognosis.