The "NATPHERA" project aims to develop innovative anti-infective agents to combat serious infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The project focuses on creating a new class of carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (CAIs) with antibacterial properties. These inhibitors will be based on novel compounds that integrate two biologically active components: terpenoids and sulfonamides. Chiral terpenoids, known for their broad-spectrum biological activity, will be combined with sulfonamide moieties—potent enzyme inhibitors—on a central pyrrol-2-one core.
The unique combination of these components is expected to enhance antibacterial activity by targeting multiple pathways, including enzyme inhibition and disruption of bacterial metabolism. The goal is to develop multifunctional molecules capable of binding to the bacterial CA enzyme and inhibiting its function, providing a polypharmacological approach that reduces the likelihood of bacterial resistance.
By exploring innovative synthetic pathways, optimizing structure-activity relationships, and conducting thorough biological evaluations, "NATPHERA" aims to generate new antibacterial agents that could significantly impact the fight against antimicrobial resistance, offering a novel therapeutic approach for multidrug-resistant infections.
Cognitive Impact
The NATPHERA project contributes to the advancement of scientific knowledge in the fields of medicinal chemistry and innovative anti-infective drug development. By investigating a new class of carbonic anhydrase inhibitors with antibacterial properties, the project provides valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms involved in combating antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The study of compounds that combine chiral terpenoids and sulfonamide groups on a pyrrol-2-one core will improve the understanding of structure–activity relationships and support the development of modern strategies for drug discovery. In addition, the project promotes interdisciplinary collaboration between organic chemistry, enzymatic biochemistry, and microbiology, fostering researcher training and the dissemination of results through scientific publications and academic collaborations.
Socio-economic Impact
Antimicrobial resistance represents a major challenge for global public health and healthcare systems. By developing innovative molecules capable of inhibiting essential bacterial enzymes and disrupting bacterial metabolism, the NATPHERA project has the potential to contribute to the development of new therapies for infections caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria. These advances may improve the effectiveness of available treatments, reduce mortality associated with severe infections, and decrease healthcare costs generated by prolonged or ineffective treatments. At the same time, the project’s results may create opportunities for innovation, patents, and collaborations with the pharmaceutical industry, supporting the economic development of the biomedical sector and facilitating the technological transfer of research outcomes.
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