Shortly after the discovery of antibiotics in the early to mid 20th century, bacteria have developed resistance to them. Now, antibiotics that were once considered medical miracles have been relegated to obscurity by wide spread resistance. Even the most advanced broad spectrum antibiotics are failing because of resistance. Our current path of new drug discovery followed by development of resistant bacteria is resulting in ever increasing antibiotic resistance, meanwhile infections and deaths caused by drug resistant pathogens only rises.
Before humans learned to use antibiotics, the healthy bacteria living with us (our microbiome) were in a constant state of competition and cooperation. In this state, healthy bacteria competed against harmful ones and prevented infection. When antibiotics are introduced, the healthy bacteria are killed, drug resistant harmful bacteria bloom, and they cause deadly infections.
Guided by an ever growing understanding of the human microbiome, I am working to restore and defend the beneficial bacteria of the microbiome. This strategy will restore the microbiome back to health and add to the arsenal in our fight against antibiotic resistant infections.