About This Project

Diabetic wounds often result in amputation due to antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Our study aims to develop a novel small-molecule drug, and we have already synthesized a compound that has demonstrated strong antibacterial activity against Gram-negative bacteria, particularly Klebsiella. The goal is to further evaluate this compound as a dual action therapy that can reduce infection and accelerate recovery in diabetic patients.

Ask the Scientists

What is the context of this research?

Diabetic wounds, especially foot ulcers, are a major complication of diabetes and are difficult to treat due to poor blood circulation, a weakened immune system, and frequent infections with antibiotic-resistant bacteria like Klebsiella and Pseudomonas [1]. These wounds can persist for months, often leading to amputation [2]. Current treatments usually address infection or healing, but not both [3,4]. Our project focuses on bridging this gap by developing a small-molecule drug that targets bacterial infection and promotes wound healing at the same time.

What is the significance of this project?

This project addresses two urgent medical needs: antibiotic resistance and chronic wound healing. By creating a dual-action drug that fights bacteria and supports tissue repair, we aim to reduce treatment time, lower the risk of amputation, and improve recovery in diabetic patients. Globally, it is estimated that every 30 seconds, a limb is lost to diabetes-related complications, with over 1 million amputations occurring each year [5]. If successful, this approach could change how diabetic wounds are treated making therapy more efficient and accessible, especially in areas with limited healthcare resources.

What are the goals of the project?

Our goal is to synthesize and validate a drug candidate with antibacterial and wound-healing properties. The lead compound, identified through computational drug design [6], will be synthesized using organic chemistry techniques. Its structure and purity will be confirmed with IR spectroscopy, NMR, and MS [7]. Antibacterial activity will be evaluated using MIC and disk diffusion assays against Klebsiella pneumoniae and other Gram-negative bacteria [8].

Wound-healing potential will be assessed using an in vitro scratch assay with fibroblast cell lines. Cell migration and wound closure will be monitored by microscopy and quantified with imaging software. Untreated cells will be negative controls, and known wound-healing agents like epidermal growth factor (EGF) will serve as positive controls [9, 10]. These experiments will validate the compound's dual therapeutic effect in diabetic wound care.