How UMD-Veterinary Medicine Researchers Combat Antimicrobial Resistance
Emily Brown, Creative Commons
Image Credit: Emily Brown, Creative Commons
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing global concern, posing a significant threat to public health. Superbugs like Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), multidrug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and resistant strains of Salmonella and Escherichia coli (E. coli) are becoming increasingly difficult to combat. The World Health Organization recognizes AMR as one of the top 10 public health threats, highlighting the urgent need for innovative strategies to address this issue. At the University of Maryland, researchers are leveraging cutting-edge science to develop solutions for AMR, focusing on harnessing natural mechanisms and novel therapeutics. Here are a few, that include work from three innovative faculty from the Department of Veterinary Medicine.
Targeting Bacteria with Virus-Inspired Enzymes: Dr. Daniel Nelson
Professor Daniel Nelson of the Department of Veterinary Medicine is tackling superbugs by replicating the mechanisms that viruses use to kill harmful bacteria. His research centers around enzymes called endolysins, which viruses produce to break down bacterial cell walls. These enzymes are highly specific, targeting only harmful bacteria while leaving beneficial ones unharmed.
Nelson is developing applications for endolysins in vaccines and therapeutics to treat a range of human and animal diseases, including bacterial pneumonia and bovine mastitis. His team is also exploring the use of engineered yeast to secrete endolysins, improving fermentation efficiency in biofuel production by eliminating problematic soil microbes that slow the process. “Endolysin research is really like the poster child for one health,” Nelson said. “It’s mostly been studied for use in human health, but it can be applied in any arena where these natural processes are taking place and having an impact.”
Leveraging Bacterial Warfare: Dr. Seth Dickey
Assistant Professor Seth Dickey is uncovering new ways to combat AMR by studying how bacteria use their own natural weapons. His work focuses on a new class of antimicrobial peptides—small proteins that bacteria secrete to kill competitors. These peptides create large holes in the cell membranes of rival bacteria, leading to rapid cell death. Interestingly, even antibiotic-resistant bacteria appear vulnerable to these peptides.
Dickey aims to decode the genetic instructions that allow bacteria to produce these peptides, with the goal of synthesizing them in the lab for potential therapeutic use. Additionally, he is investigating how genes in MRSA interact, using CRISPR technology to disrupt gene functions. “There are still a lot of genes in MRSA that we don’t know the function of,” Dickey said. “By learning how these genes, and the proteins they produce, interact, we may discover new ways to target critical bacterial functions, like cell division or cell wall synthesis.”
A Multifaceted Approach to Poultry Health: Dr. Mostafa Ghanem
Addressing AMR in agriculture, Assistant Professor Mostafa Ghanem is focused on reducing the need for antibiotics in poultry farming. His research uses molecular diagnostic techniques to monitor disease spread and develop vaccines for common bacterial infections in poultry. Ghanem is also studying beneficial microbes in chickens' respiratory tracts that can help fight infections naturally, thereby reducing antibiotic use.
Ghanem's work extends to educating farmers and veterinarians on responsible antibiotic practices. He advocates for choosing non-medically important antibiotics in animal care to preserve the efficacy of drugs critical for human health. “We advocate for responsible, judicious antibiotic practices in agriculture,” Ghanem said. “And by advancing vaccines and microbiome research, we’re taking a multifaceted approach to combat antimicrobial resistance.”
Additional Faculty from Other Departments in AGNR Include:
Dr. Ryan Blaustein, Assistant Professor of Nutrition and Food Science, who studies soil and water microbiomes to identify genes linked to AMR. His research highlights how soil pH and microbial diversity impact the spread of resistance, offering sustainable agricultural solutions.
Dr. Debabrata Biswas, Professor of Animal and Avian Sciences, who develops antibiotic alternatives for poultry by using probiotics and plant-derived phenolics to enhance gut health, disease resistance, and growth. His work also investigates environmental factors that support the persistence of pathogens like Salmonella in the food system.
Together, these University of Maryland researchers are pioneering innovative strategies to address AMR across human, animal, and environmental health, embodying a true one-health approach to a complex global challenge.
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