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Dr. Marta Martins
Assistant Professor/ Head of Discipline, Microbiology

Biography

Dr. Marta Martins has a Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences, specialisation of Microbiology, conferred by the Institute of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, New University of Lisbon (IHMT/UNL), Lisbon, Portugal. Currently, her research addresses the study of antibiotic resistance in bacteria of public health importance, along with aspects of the infection biology, using a combination of classical microbiology, biochemistry, cell biology, immunology and functional genomic techniques. She is mainly interested in the way that bacteria adapt to certain environments and respond to the stresses encountered, focusing on the bacteria physiological and molecular mechanisms. In the last few years she has published several book chapters addressing this subject. She is also a member of the European network in antibiotic resistance, COST Action- Antibiotic transport & efflux: new strategies to combat bacterial resistance.

She is currently a reviewer, by invitation, of manuscripts submitted for publication to Immunotherapy; Biochemistry and Pharmacology; The Open Microbiology Journal; European Journal of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases, being also a member of the Editorial Board of Conference Papers in Microbiology and a Guest Editor of Frontiers in Microbiology.

Publications and Further Research Outputs

Peer-Reviewed Publications

Friães, S. and Trigueiros, C. and Gomes, C.S.B. and Fernandes, A.R. and Lenis-Rojas, O.A. and Martins, M. and Royo, B., Antimicrobial Activity of Manganese(I) Tricarbonyl Complexes Bearing 1,2,3-Triazole Ligands, Molecules, 28, (21), 2023 Journal Article, 2023 DOI

Breheny, J. and Kingston, C. and Doran, R. and Anes, J. and Martins, M. and Fanning, S. and Guiry, P.J., Investigation of the anti-methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus activity of (+)-tanikolide-and (+)-malyngolide-based analogues prepared by asymmetric synthesis, International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 22, (12), 2021 Journal Article, 2021 DOI

Mohan, N.M. and Zorgani, A. and Earley, L. and Chauhan, S. and Trajkovic, S. and Savage, J. and Adelfio, A. and Khaldi, N. and Martins, M., Preservatives from foodâ€"For food: Pea protein hydrolysate as a novel bio-preservative against Escherichia coli O157:H7 on a lettuce leaf, Food Science and Nutrition, 9, (11), 2021, p5946-5958 Journal Article, 2021 DOI

Shaban L, Ershova AS, Hamrock FJ, Shaibah A, Sulimani MM, Amin RA, Russell JN, Ravichandran R, Schaffer K, Martins M, Cameron ADS, Kröger C, Draft Genome Sequence and Annotation of Acinetobacter soli AS15, Isolated from an Irish Hospital, Microbiology Resource Announcement, 2021 Journal Article, 2021 DOI

Ferreira, D.A. and Martins, L.M.D.R.S. and Fernandes, A.R. and Martins, M., A tale of two ends: Repurposing metallic compounds from anti†tumour agents to effective antibacterial activity, Antibiotics, 9, (6), 2020, p1-14 Journal Article, 2020 DOI

Hurley, D. and Hoffmann, M. and Muruvanda, T. and Allard, M.W. and Brown, E.W. and Martins, M. and Fanning, S., Atypical salmonella enterica serovars in murine and human macrophage infection models, Infection and Immunity, 88, (4), 2020 Journal Article, 2020 DOI

Niamh Mohan, Unravelling a food derived bioactive peptide with dual functionality of antimicrobial and immunomodulatory capabilities, Trinity College Dublin, 2020 Thesis, 2020

McCusker MP, Ferreira DA, Cooney D, Alves BM, Fanning S, Pagès JM, Martins M*, Davin-Regli A, Modulation of antibiotic resistance in clinical isolates of Enterobacter aerogenes - a strategy combining antibiotics and chemosensitisers, Journal of Global Antimicrobial Resistance, 16, 2019, p187 - 198 Journal Article, 2019 DOI

Mohan NM, Zorgani A, Jalowicki G, Kerr A, Khaldi N, Martins M., Unlocking NuriPep 1653 From Common Pea Protein: A Potent Antimicrobial Peptide to Tackle a Pan-Drug Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii., Frontiers in Microbiology, 10, (2086), 2019, p1 - 16 Journal Article, 2019 DOI

Machado D, Antunes J, Simões A, Perdigão J, Couto I, McCusker M, Martins M, Portugal I, Pacheco T, Batista J, Toscano C, Viveiros , Contribution of efflux to colistin heteroresistance in a multidrug resistant Acinetobacter baumannii clinical isolate, Journal of Medical Microbiology, 67, (6), 2018, p740 - 749 Journal Article, 2018

D.  A.  Ferreira,  D.  Luís,  L.  M.D.R.S.  Martins,  A.  R.  Fernandes,  and  M.  Martins,  Drug  repurposing  of  zinc   and  cobalt  organometallic  compounds  to  uncover  effective  antibacterials, ECCMID, Madrid, Spain, 21-24 April, 2018 Poster, 2018

D.Machado,  J.  Antunes,  A.  Simões,  J.  Perdigão,  I.  Couto,  M.  P.  McCusker,  M.  Martins,  I.Portugal,  T.   Pacheco,  J.  Batista,  C.  Toscano,  and  M.Viveiros.  ,  Contribution  of  efflux  to  colistin  heteroresistance  in  a   multidrug  resistant  Acinetobacter  baumannii  clinical  isolate.,  ECCMID, Madrid, Spain, 21-24 April, 2018 Poster, 2018

Anes J, Martins M, Fanning S, Reversing Antimicrobial Resistance in Multidrug-Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae of Clinical Origin Using 1-(1-Naphthylmethyl)-Piperazine, Microbial Drug Resistance, 24, (10), 2018, phttp://doi.org/10.1089/mdr.201 Journal Article, 2018 DOI

Baptista PV, McCusker MP, Carvalho A, Ferreira DA, Mohan NM, Martins M*, Fernandes AR*, Nano-Strategies to Fight Multidrug Resistant Bacteria - "A Battle of the Titans", Frontiers in Microbiology, 9, 2018, p1441 - 1468 Review Article, 2018 DOI

D.  Alves  Ferreira,  D.  Luís,  L.M.D.R.S.  Martins,  A.  R.  Fernandes  and  M.  Martins.  , Drug  repurposing  of   zinc  and  cobalt  organometallic  compounds  to  uncover  effective  antibacterials., ESCMID/ASM   Conference  on  Drug  Development  to  Meet  the  Challenge  of  Antimicrobial  Resistance, Lisbon, Portugal, 4-7 September, 2018 Poster, 2018

 D.  Alves  Ferreira  and  M.  Martins.  ,  New  tricks  for  old  drugs  -  Uncovering    the  mechanism  of  action  of   thioridazine  in  Salmonella  Typhimurium, ESCMID/ASM  Conference  on  Drug  Development  to  Meet   the  Challenge  of  Antimicrobial  Resistance, Lisbon, Portugal, 4-7 September, 2018 Poster, 2018

D.  Alves  Ferreira,  D.  Luís  ,  L.M.D.R.S.  Martins  ,  A.  R.  Fernandes  ,  M.  Martins.  ,  Repurposing  zinc  and   cobalt  organometallic  compounds  as  effective  antimicrobials  against  Gram-­‐positive  and  -­‐negative   bacteria., SGM  Focused meeting, Maynooth, Ireland , 2017 Poster, 2017

A.  McGurrin,  N.  Mohan,  M.  Martins,  Combined  therapy  to  treat  antibiotic  resistance  in  clinical  isolates   of  Klebsiella  pneumoniae, SGM Annual  Conference,  EICC,  Edinburgh  , 3-6 April, 2017 Poster, 2017

A.  J.  Charmier,  Pedro  Fernandes,  Alexandra  R.  Fernandes,  Marta  Martins,  Catarina  Roma-­‐Rodrigues,   Susana  Morgado.,  Microwave  technology  and  enzymatic  modifications  of  plant  extracts  to  obtain   compounds  with  antibacterial  activity.  ,  SGM  Annual  Conference  2017,  EICC,  , Edinburgh, UK, 3-6 April, 2017 Poster, 2017

S.  Odekunle,  N.  Mohan,  M.  P.  McCusker,  M.  Martins.,  Uncovering  the  mechanism  of  action  of   thioridazine  in  Salmonella, SGM  Annual  Conference, EICC,  Edinburgh , 3-6 April, 2017 Poster, 2017

D.  Alves  Ferreira  and  M.  Martins,  New  tricks  for  old  drugs  -­‐  Revealing  the  mechanism  of  action  of   thioridazine  in  Salmonella,  SGM Focused  meeting, Maynooth  , 2017 Poster, 2017

N.M.  Mohan,  B.  Molloy,  C.  Colombo,  M.  Martins  and  N.  Khaldi,  Data  Mined  Plant  Antimicrobial   Peptides  as  a  Strategy  to  Control  Pseudomonas  aeruginosa., Gordon Conference, USA, 2017 Poster, 2017

Anes J, Hurley D, Martins M, Fanning S. , Exploring the Genome and Phenotype of Multi-Drug Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae of Clinical Origin., Frontiers in Microbiology, 8, (1913), 2017, p1 - 15 Journal Article, 2017

M.  Hannon,  N.  Mohan,  D.  Luís,  L.  M.D.R.S.  Martins,  A.  R.  Fernandes,  M.  Martins,  Antibacterial  activity   of  repurposed  zinc  organometallic  compounds  -  from  anticancer  to  effective  antimicrobials  against  E.   coli.  , SGM  Annual  Conference  ,  Edinburgh, 3-6 April, 2017 Poster, 2017

N.M. Mohan, B. Molloy,  C.  Colombo,  M.  Martins,  N.  Khaldi.  ,  Unveiling  novel  antimicrobial  peptides   from  nature  to  combat  food  spoilage  pathogens.,  IV  International  Conference  on  Antimicrobial   Research  (ICAR)., Torremolinos, Malaga, Spain, 29 June-1 July , 2016 Poster, 2016

A.  J.  Charmier,  A.  R  Fernandes,  S.  Morgado,  M.  Martins,  P.  Fernandes,  A.  J.  L.  Pombeiro,  Towards   Green  Downstream  Processing:  Microwave  Technology  For  Extraction  Of  Active  Biomolecules.   , European  Symposium  on  Biochemical  Engineering  Sciences., Dublin, Ireland, 11-14 September, 2016 Poster, 2016

Machado D, Pires D, Perdigão J, Couto I, Portugal I, Martins M, Amaral L, Anes E, Viveiros M, Ion Channel Blockers as Antimicrobial Agents, Efflux Inhibitors, and Enhancers of Macrophage Killing Activity against Drug Resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis, PLoS One, 11, (2), 2016, pe0149326- Journal Article, 2016

N.M.  Mohan,  B.  Molloy,  C.  Colombo,  M.  Martins,  N.  Khaldi,  Using  Natures  Own  Defences  to  Develop   New  Preservatives, IUFOST  18th  World  Congress  of  Food  Science  and  Technology, Dublin, Ireland, 21-25 August, 2016 Poster, 2016

Daniel Hurley, Maria Hoffmann, Tim Muruvanda, Marc W Allard, Eric W Brown, Marta Martins, Séamus Fanning, AtypicalSalmonella entericaserovars in murine and human infection models: Is it time to reassess our approach to the study of salmonellosis?, 2016 Journal Article, 2016 DOI

Martins, M. and McCusker, M.P., Editorial: Alternative therapeutics against MDR bacteria - "Fighting the epidemic of antibiotic resistance", Frontiers in Microbiology, 7, (OCT), 2016 Journal Article, 2016 DOI

Martins M. and McCusker MP, Alternative therapeutics against MDR bacteria - fighting the epidemic of antibiotic resistance, Frontiers in Microbiology, 7, (1559), 2016, p1 - 2 Journal Article, 2016

Brennan E*, Martins M*, McCusker MP, Wang J, Alves BA, Hurley D, El Garch F, Woehrlé F, Miossec C, McGrath L, Srikumar S, Wall P, Fanning S, Multidrug-Resistant Escherichia coli in Bovine Animals, Europe, Emerging Infectious Diseases, 22, (9), 2016, p1650 - 1652 Journal Article, 2016

Applied and Environmental Microbiology (AEM), USA, American Society of Microbiology, [eds.], 2016-2019 Editorial Board, 2016

Martins M, Baptista PV, Mendo AS, Correia C, Videira P, Rodrigues AS, Muthukumaran J, SantosSilva T, Silva A, Guedes da Silva MF, Gigante J, Duarte A, Gajewska M, Fernandes AR, In vitro and in vivo biological characterization of the anti-proliferative potential of a cyclic trinuclear organotin(iv) complex, Molecular Biosystems, 12, (3), 2016, p1015 - 1023 Journal Article, 2016

N.M.  Mohan,  B.  Molloy,  C.  Colombo,  J.  Carrigan.,  M.  Martins,  N.  Khaldi.  ,  Using  natures  own  defences   to  develop  new  preservatives,  Food  Micro, Dublin, Ireland, 19-22 July, 2016 Poster, 2016

Denis O'Leary, Evonne Mc Cabe, Matthew P. McCusker, Marta Martins, Seamus Fanning and Geraldine Duffy., Acid environments affect biofilm formation and gene expression in isolates of Salmonella enterica Typhimurium DT104, International Journal of Food Microbiolog, 206, 2015, p7 - 16 Journal Article, 2015

Roca, I. and Akova, M. and Baquero, F. and Carlet, J. and Cavaleri, M. and Coenen, S. and Cohen, J. and Findlay, D. and Gyssens, I. and Heuer, O.E. and Kahlmeter, G. and Kruse, H. and Laxminarayan, R. and Liébana, E. and López-Cerero, L. and MacGowan, A. and Martins, M. and Rodríguez-Baño, J. and Rolain, J.-M. and Segovia, C. and Sigauque, B. and Tacconelli, E. and Wellington, E. and Vila, J., Corrigendum to The global threat of antimicrobial resistance: Science for intervention [New Microbes New Infect, 6, (2015), 22-29] Doi: 10.1016/j.nmni.2015.02.007, New Microbes and New Infections, 8, 2015, p175 Journal Article, 2015 DOI

I. Roca, M. Akova, F. Baquero, J. Carlet, M. Cavaleri, S. Coenen, J. Cohen, D. Findlay, I. Gyssens, O. E. Heure, G. Kahlmeter, H. Kruse, R. Laxminarayan, E. Liébana, L. López-Cerero, A. MacGowan, M. Martins, J. Rodríguez-Baño, J.-M. Rolain, C. Segovia, B. Sigauque, E. Taconelli, E. Wellington and J. Vila, The global threat of Antimicrobial Resistance: Science for Interventi, New Microbes and and New Infections, 6, 2015, p22 - 29 Review Article, 2015

Qiongqiong Yan, Juan Wang, Jayanthi Gangiredla, Yu Cao, Marta Martins, Gopal Gopinath, Roger Stephan, Keith Lampel, Ben Tall, and Seamus Fanning, Comparative genotypic and phenotypic analysis of Cronobacter species cultured from four powdered infant formula production facilities - indication of patho-adaptation along the food chain, Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 81, (13), 2015, p4388 - 4402 Journal Article, 2015

João Anes, Matthew P. McCusker, Séamus Fanning, Marta Martins, The ins and outs of RND efflux pumps in Escherichia coli, Front. Microbiol., 6, 2015 Journal Article, 2015

Frontiers in Microbiology, Frontiers, [eds.], 2015-2018 Editorial Board, 2015

João Anes, Matthew P. McCusker, Séamus Fanning and Marta Martins, The Ins and Outs of RND Efflux pumps in Escherichia coli, Frontiers in Microbiology, 6, (587), 2015, p1 - 14 Review Article, 2015

Robert Doran, Michael P. Carroll, Ramulu Akula, Bryan F. Hogan, Marta Martins, Séamus Fanning and Patrick J. Guiry, A Stereoselective Switch: Enantiodivergent Approach to the Synthesis of Isoflavanones, Chemistry European Journal, 20, 2014, p1 - 7 Journal Article, 2014

"Cap. III - Princípios do Diagnóstico Microbiológico Médico" in, Meliço Silvestre A, Barroso H & Nuno Taveira , Microbiologia Médica - "Métodos de Diagnóstico serológico", Portugal, LIDEL, 2014, pp51 - 60, [M. Martins, R. Castro, M. L. Vieira] Book Chapter, 2014

McCusker MP, Hokamp K, Buckley JF, Wall PG, Martins M, Fanning S, Complete Genome Sequence of Salmonella enterica Serovar Agona Pulsed-Field Type SAGOXB.0066, Cause of a 2008 Pan-European Outbreak., Genome announcements, 2, (1), 2014 Journal Article, 2014

Doran, R. and Carroll, M.P. and Akula, R. and Hogan, B.F. and Martins, M. and Fanning, S. and Guiry, P.J., A stereoselective switch: Enantiodivergent approach to the synthesis of isoflavanones, Chemistry - A European Journal, 20, (47), 2014, p15354-15359 Journal Article, 2014 DOI

Daniel Hurley, Matthew P. McCusker, Seamus Fanning, Marta Martins, Salmonella-host interactions - modulation of the host innate immune system, Frontiers in Immunology, 5, (481), 2014, p1 - 11 Review Article, 2014

Finn S, Hinton JC, McClure P, Amézquita A, Martins M, Fanning S., Phenotypic characterization of Salmonella isolated from food production environments associated with low-water activity foods, Journal of Food Protection, 76, (9), 2013, p1488 - 1499 Journal Article, 2013

Marta Martins, Matthew P. McCusker, Miguel Viveiros, Isabel Couto, Séamus Fanning, Jean-Marie Pagès, Leonard Amaral, A Simple Method for Assessment of MDR Bacteria for Over-Expressed Efflux Pumps, The Open Microbiology Journal, 7, (Suppl 1-M6), 2013, p72 - 82 Journal Article, 2013

, Correction: Exploring the contribution of efflux on the resistance to fluoroquinolones in clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus, 2013 Journal Article, 2013

O'Leary D, Cabe EM, McCusker MP, Martins M, Fanning S, Duffy G, Microbiological study of biofilm formation in isolates of Salmonella enterica Typhimurium DT104 and DT104b cultured from the modern pork chain, International Journal of Food Microbiology, 161, (1), 2013, p36 - 43 Journal Article, 2013

L. Amaral, M. Martins, I. Couto, M. Viveiros, Therapy of the XDR-TB patient with thioridazine - an old drug with new applications., Tuberculosis: laboratory diagnosis and treatment strategies, 2013, p232--242 Journal Article, 2013

Martins, M. and Mccusker, M.P. and Viveiros, M. and Couto, I. and Fanning, S. and PagÚs, J.-M. and Amaral, L., A simple method for assessment of MDR bacteria for over-expressed Efflux pumps, Open Microbiology Journal, 7, (SPEC.ISSUE.1), 2013, p72-82 Journal Article, 2013 DOI

Costa, S.S. and Falcão, C. and Viveiros, M. and Machado, D. and Martins, M. and Melo-Cristino, J. and Amaral, L. and Couto, I., Erratum: Exploring the contribution of efflux on the resistance to fluoroquinolones in clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus (BMC Microbiology (2011) 11 (241)), BMC Microbiology, 13, (1), 2013 Journal Article, 2013 DOI

Martins M, McCusker MP, McCabe EM, O'Leary D, Duffy G, Fanning S, Evidence of metabolic switching and implications for food safety from the phenome(s) of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium DT104 cultured at selected points across the pork production food chain, Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 79, (18), 2013, p5437 - 5449 Journal Article, 2013

, Inhibitors of mycobacterial efflux pumps as potential boosters for anti-tubercular drugs, 2012 Journal Article, 2012

Amaral, L. and Fanning, S. and Spengler, G. and Rodrigues, L. and Iversen, C. and Martins, M. and Martins, A. and Viveiros, M. and Couto, I., Genetic regulation, physiology, assessment and inhibition of efflux pumps responsible for multi-drug resistant phenotypes of bacterial pathogens, 2012, 91-116pp Book, 2012

"Chapter 4 - Structure, genetic regulation, physiology and function of the AcrAB-TolC efflux pump of Escherichia coli and Salmonella. in, G. Tegos and E. Mylonakis , Antimicrobial drug discovery: emerging strategies. , UK, CAB International, 2012, pp44 - 61, [Amaral L., A. Martins, G. Spengler, M. Martins, L. Rodrigues, M. McCusker, E. Ntokou, P. Cerca, L. Machado, M. Viveiros, I. Couto, S. Fanning, J. Kristiansen, J. Molnar] Book Chapter, 2012

Miguel Viveiros, Marta Martins, Liliana Rodrigues, Diana Machado, Isabel Couto, José Ainsa, Leonard Amaral, Inhibitors of mycobacterial efflux pumps as potential boosters for TB drugs in: Targeting Antibiotic Resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis - An Emerging Trend in Tuberculosis Drug Development, 10, (9), 2012, p983 - 998 Review Article, 2012

Marta Martins, Is adjuvant therapy a potential road for fighting Mycobacterium tuberculosis resistance? , Expert Reviews Anti Infective Therapies, 10, (11), 2012, p1225 - 1227 Journal Article, 2012

Spengler, G., L. Rodrigues, A. Martins, M. Martins, M. McCusker, P. Cerca, L. Machado, S.S. Costa, E. Ntokou, I. Couto, M. Viveiros, S. Fanning, J. Molnar, L. Amaral, Genetic response of Salmonella enterica serotype Enteritidis to thioridazine rendering the organism resistant to the agent, International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents, 39, (1), 2012, p16 - 21 Journal Article, 2012

L. Amaral, A. Martins, G. Spengler, M. Martins, L. Rodrigues, M. McCusker, E. Ntokou, P. Cerca, L. Machado, M. Viveiros, I. Couto, S. Fanning, J. Kristiansen, J. Molnar, Structure, genetic regulation, physiology and function of the AcrAB-TolC efflux pump of Escherichia coli and Salmonella., Antimicrobial drug discovery: emerging strategies, 2012, p44--61 Journal Article, 2012

Amaral, L., M. Martins and M. Viveiros. , Thioridazine: Alternative and Potentially Effective Therapy of the XDR-TB Patient., Letters in Drug Design & Discovery , 8, 2011, p130 - 132 Journal Article, 2011

S. S. Costa, Falcão, C., M. Viveiros, D. Machado, M. Martins, J. Melo-Cristino, L. Amaral and I. Couto. 2011, Exploring the contribution of efflux on the resistance to fluoroquinolones in clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus, BMC Microbiology, 11, 2011, p241- Journal Article, 2011

Martins, M., M. McCusker, L. Amaral, S. Fanning., Mechanisms of Antibiotic Resistance in Salmonella: Efflux Pumps, Genetics, Quorum Sensing and Biofilm Formation., Letters in Drug Design & Discovery, 8, 2011, p114 - 123 Journal Article, 2011

Martins, M. and Viveiros, M. and Couto, I. and Costa, S.S. and Pacheco, T. and Fanning, S. and PagÚs, J.-M. and Amaral, L., Identification of efflux pump-mediated multidrug-resistant bacteria by the ethidium bromide-agar cartwheel method, In Vivo, 25, (2), 2011, p171-178 Journal Article, 2011

Marta Martins, Targeting the Human Macrophage with Combinations of Drugs and Inhibitors of Ca2+ and K+ Transport to Enhance the Killing of Intracellular Multi-Drug Resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MDR-TB) - a Novel, Patentable Approach to Limit the Emergence of XDR-TB, PRI, 6, (2), 2011, p110--117 Journal Article, 2011

Karczmarczyk, M., M. Martins, T. Quinn, N. Leonard, S. Fanning, Mechanisms of fluoroquinolone resistance in Escherichia coli isolates from food-producing animals, Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 77, (20), 2011, p7113 - 7120 Journal Article, 2011

Amaral, L. and Fanning, S. and Spengler, G. and Rodrigues, L. and Iversen, C. and Martins, M. and Martins, A. and Viveiros, M. and Couto, I., Genetic regulation, physiology, assessment and inhibition of efflux pumps responsible for multi-drug resistant phenotypes of bacterial pathogens, 2011, 313-332pp Book, 2011

Ramalhete, C., G. Spengler, A. Martins, M. Martins, M. Viveiros, S. Mulhovo, M.J. Ferreira, L. Amaral., Inhibition of efflux pumps in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Marta S. L. Martins - Curriculum vitæ 10/43 Enterococcus faecalis resistant strains by triterpenoids from Momordica balsamina., International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents, 37, 2011, p70 - 74 Journal Article, 2011

Martins, M., M. Viveiros, I. Couto, S.S. Costa, T. Pacheco, S. Fanning, J.M. Pagès, L. Amaral, Identification of efflux pump-mediated multidrug-resistant bacteria by the ethidium bromide-agar cartwheel method. In Vivo. 25(2):171-178, In Vivo, 25, (2), 2011, p171 - 178 Journal Article, 2011

Ramalhete, C. and Spengler, G. and Martins, A. and Martins, M. and Viveiros, M. and Mulhovo, S. and Ferreira, M.-J.U. and Amaral, L., Inhibition of efflux pumps in meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis resistant strains by triterpenoids from Momordica balsamina, International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents, 37, (1), 2011, p70-74 Journal Article, 2011 DOI

Martins, M. , Targeting the Human Macrophage with Combinations of Drugs and Inhibitors of Ca(2+) and K(+) Transport to Enhance the Killing of Intracellular Multi-Drug Resistant M. tuberculosis (MDR-TB) - a Novel, Patentable Approach to Limit the Emergence of XDR-TB, Recent Patents on Anti-infective Drug Discovery , 6, (2), 2011, p110 - 117 Review Article, 2011

Amaral, L., A. Martins, J. Molnar, J.E Kristiansen, M. Martins, M. Viveiros, L. Rodrigues, G. Spengler, I. Couto, J. Ramos, S. Dastidar, S. Fanning, M. McCusker and J.M. Pages., Phenothiazines, bacterial efflux pumps and targeting the macrophage for enhanced killing of intracellular XDR-TB, In Vivo, 24, 2010, p409 - 424 Review Article, 2010

Viveiros, M., M. Martins, I. Couto, L. Rodrigues, D. Machado, I. Portugal and L. Amaral, Molecular tools for rapid identification and novel effective therapy against MDRTB/XDRTB infections, Expert Reviews Anti Infective Therapies, 8, 2010, p465 - 480 Review Article, 2010

Martins, M. and Couto, I. and Viveiros, M. and Amaral, L., Identification of efflux-mediated multi-drug resistance in bacterial clinical isolates by two simple methods., Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.), 642, 2010, p143-157 Journal Article, 2010 DOI

"Evaluation of efflux activity of bacteria by a semi-automated fluorometric system in, editor(s)John Walker , Antibiotic Resistance Protocols for the Methods in Molecular Biology Series, London, UK, Humana Press, 2010, pp159 - 172, [Viveiros, M., L. Rodrigues, M. Martins, I. Couto, G. Spengler, A. Martins, L. Amaral] Book Chapter, 2010

Karczmarczyk, M., M. Martins, M. McCusker, S. Mattar, L. Amaral, N. Leonard, F. M. Aarestrup and S. Fanning, Characterization of antimicrobial resistance in Salmonella enterica food and animal isolates from Colombia: identification of a qnrB19-mediated quinolone resistance marker in two novel serovars, FEMS Microbiology Letters, 313, 2010, p10 - 19 Journal Article, 2010

"Identification of efflux-mediated multi-drug resistance in bacterial clinical isolates by two simple methods in, editor(s)John Walker , Antibiotic Resistance Protocols for the Methods in Molecular Biology Series, London, UK, Humana Press, 2010, pp143 - 157, [Martins, M., I. Couto, M. Viveiros, L. Amaral] Book Chapter, 2010

Martins, A., G. Spengler, M. Martins, L. Rodrigues, M. Viveiros, A. Davin-Regli, J. Chevalier, I. Couto, J.M. Pagès and L. Amaral, Physiological characterization of the efflux pump system of antibiotic susceptible and multi-drug resistant Enterobacter aerogenes, International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents, 36, 2010, p313 - 318 Journal Article, 2010

Chapter XII - Genetic regulation, physiology, assessment and inhibition of efflux pumps responsible for multi-drug resistant phenotypes of bacterial pathogens in, Agoston Meszaros and Gusztav Balogh , "Multiple Drug Resistance, New York, USA, NovaScience Publishers, 2010, pp225 - 244, [Amaral L, Fanning S, Spengler G, Rodrigues L, Iversen, C., Martins M, Martins A, Viveiros M, Couto I] Book Chapter, 2010

, Evaluation of Efflux Activity of Bacteria by a Semi-automated Fluorometric System, 2010 Journal Article, 2010

Paixão, L., L. Rodrigues, I. Couto, M. Martins, P. Fernandes, C., CCR de Carvalho, G. Monteiro, F. Sansonetty, L. Amaral and M. Viveiros , Fluorometric determination of ethidium bromide efflux kinetics in Escherichia coli., Journal of Biological Engineering, 3, 2009, p18- Journal Article, 2009

Spengler, G., C. Ramalhete, M. Martins, A. Martins, J. Serly, M. Viveiros, J. Molnár, N. Duarte, S. Mulhovo, M.J.U. Ferreira, L. Amaral., Evaluation of cucurbitane-type triterpenoids from Momordica balsamina on P-glycoprotein (ABCB1) by flow cytometry and real-time fluorometry, AntiCancer Research, 29, 2009, p3989 - 3994 Journal Article, 2009

Martins, M., M. Viveiros, I. Couto, and L. Amaral., Targeting human macrophages for enhanced killing of intracellular XDR-TB and MDR-TB., International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, 13, 2009, p569 - 573 Review Article, 2009

Spengler, G., A. Martins, Z. Schelz, L. Rodrigues, L. Aagaard, M. Martins, S. Santos Costa, I. Couto, M. Viveiros, J. E. Kristiansen, S. Fanning, J. Molnar, and L. Amaral. , Characterisation of intrinsic efflux activity of Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212 by an automated ethidium bromide method, In Vivo, 23, 2009, p81 - 87 Journal Article, 2009

Spengler, G., Viveiros, M., Martins, M., Rodrigues, L., Molnar, J., Couto, I., and Amaral, L. , Demonstration of the activity of the P-glycoprotein by a semi-automated fluorometric method. , Anticancer Research , 29, 2009, p2173 - 2177 Journal Article, 2009

Martins, M., M. Viveiros, J. Ramos, I. Couto, J. Molnar, M. Boeree, and L. Amaral. , SILA 421, an inhibitor of efflux pumps of cancer cells, enhances the killing of intracellular extensively drugresistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB)., International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents, 33, 2009, p479 - 482 Journal Article, 2009

Martins, A., G. Spengler, L. Rodrigues, M. Viveiros, J. Ramos, M. Martins, I. Couto, S. Fanning, J.M. Pagès, J.M. Bolla, J. Molnar and L. Amaral, pH Modulation of Efflux Pump Activity of MultiDrug Resistant E. coli: Protection During its Passage and Eventual Colonization of the Colon, PLoS One , 4, (8), 2009, pe6656- Journal Article, 2009

Martins, M., M. Viveiros, and L. Amaral, Enhanced killing of intracellular pathogenic bacteria by phenothiazines and the role of K+ efflux pumps of the bacterium and the killing macrophage. , Anti-Infective Agents In Medicinal Chemistry, 7, 2008, p63 - 72 Journal Article, 2008

Amaral, L., M. Martins, M. Viveiros, J. Molnar, and J. E. Kristiansen. , Promising therapy of XDR-TB/MDR-TB with thioridazine an inhibitor of bacterial efflux pumps. , Current Drug Targets, 9, 2008, p816 - 819 Journal Article, 2008

Martins, M., The role played by efflux systems on the resistance to antibiotics, Universidade Nova de Lisboa (New University of Lisbon), 2008 Thesis, 2008

Viveiros, M., M. Martins, I. Couto, L. Rodrigues, G. Spengler, A. Martins, J. E. Kristiansen, J. Molnar and L. Amaral. , New Methods for the identification of efflux mediated MDR bacteria, genetic assessment of regulators and efflux pump constituents, characterization of efflux systems and screening for inhibitors of efflux pumps, Current Drug Targets, 9, 2008, p760 - 778 Review Article, 2008

Martins, A; Vasas, A; Schelz, Z; Martins, M; Viveiros, M; Molnar, J; Hohmann, J; Amaral, L , Purification and identification of active compounds of Carpobrotus edulis against the reversal of resistance of human mdr1 gene transfected mouse lymphoma cells. , Planta Medica , Seventh Joint Meeting of AFERP, ASP, GA, PSE & SIF - Natural products with pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, cosmetic and agrochemical interest, Athens, Greece, 3-8 August, 74, (9), 2008, pp1004- Conference Paper, 2008

, The TB laboratory of the future: macrophage-based selection of XDR-TB therapeutics, 2008 Journal Article, 2008

Viveiros, M., A. Martins, L. Paixão, L. Rodrigues, M. Martins, I. Couto, E. Fähnrich, W. V. Kern, and L. Amaral. , Demonstration of intrinsic efflux activity of E. coli K-12 AG100 by an automated ethidium bromide method, International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents, 31, 2008, p458 - 462 Journal Article, 2008

Martins, M. , The antimycobacterial activity of thioridazine derivatives against drug resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis: In vitro, ex vivo and in vivo studies, Universidade Nova de Lisboa (New University of Lisbon), 2008 Thesis, 2008

Couto, I., S. Santos Costa, M. Viveiros, M. Martins, and L. Amaral, Efflux-mediated response of Staphylococcus aureus exposed to ethidium bromide., Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, 62, 2008, p504 - 513 Journal Article, 2008

Amaral L., Spengler G., Viveiros M., Rodrigues L., Martins A., Couto I., Martins M., Fanning S., Pages J.M., Molnar J. , Assessment and comparison of efflux pumps of cancer cells and MDR bacteria under physiological conditions by a real-time semi-automated system. , Anticancer Research - International Journal of Cancer Research and Treatment , Eighth International Conference of Anticancer Research, Kos, Greece, 28, (5C), 2008, pp18- Conference Paper, 2008

Martins, M., S. G. Dastidar, S. Fanning, J. E. Kristiansen, J. Molnar, J. M. Pagès, Z. Schelz, G. Spengler, M. Viveiros, and L. Amaral. , Potential role of non-antibiotics (helper compounds) in the treatment of multidrug-resistant Gram-negative infections: mechanisms for their direct and indirect activities, International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents, 31, 2008, p198 - 208 Journal Article, 2008

Mishra, U. S., P. Chakraborty, A. Dasgupta, S. G. Dastidar, M. Martins, and L. Amaral, Potent Bactericidal action of a flavonoid compound isolated from the stem bark of Butea frondosa., In Vivo , 23, 2008, p29 - 32 Journal Article, 2008

Spengler, G; Viveiros, M; Martins, A; Rodrigues, L; Martins, M; Molnar, J; Couto, I; Amaral, L. , Demonstration of the activity of p-glycoprotein by a fully automated ethidium bromide method. , Anticancer Research - International Journal of Cancer Research and Treatment , Eighth International Conference of Anticancer Research, Kos, Greece, 17-22 October , 28, (5C), 2008, pp630- Conference Paper, 2008

Martins A, Vasas A, Schelz Z, Martins M, Viveiros M, Molnár J, Hohmann J, Spengler G and Amaral L. , Constituents of Carpobrotus edulis inhibit p-glycoprotein of human mdr1 gene transfected mouse lymphoma cells, Anticancer Research , Eighth International Conference of Anticancer Research, Kos, Greece, 28, (5C), 2008, pp3397- Conference Paper, 2008

Martins, M., M. Viveiros, and L. Amaral. , The TB Laboratory of the Future: The role of the macrophage in the selection of agents that can be used for the successful therapy of an XDR-TB infection. , Future Microbiology, 3, 2008, p135 - 144 Journal Article, 2008

Martins, M., M. Viveiros, and L. Amaral. , Inhibitors of Ca2+ and K+ transport enhance intracellular killing of M. tuberculosis by non-killing macrophages. , In Vivo, 22, 2008, p69 - 75 Journal Article, 2008

Amaral, L., M. Martins, and M. Viveiros. , Enhanced killing of intracellular multi-drug resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis by compounds that affect the activity of efflux pumps: a review, Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, 59, 2007, p1237 - 1246 Review Article, 2007

Viveiros, M., M. Dupont, L. Rodrigues, I. Couto, A. Davin-Regli, M. Martins, J. M. Pagès, and L. Amaral., Antibiotic Stress, Genetic Response and Altered Permeability of E. coli., PLoS One, 2, 2007, pe365- Journal Article, 2007

Martins, M., M. Viveiros, J. E. Kristiansen, J. Molnar, and L, Amaral. , The curative activity of thioridazine on mice infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis., In Vivo , 21, 2007, p771 - 776 Journal Article, 2007

Schelz, Z., M. Martins, A. Martins, M. Viveiros, J. Molnar, and L. Amaral. , Elimination of plasmids by SILA compounds that inhibit efflux pumps of bacteria and cancer cells. , In vivo, 21, 2007, p635 - 640 Journal Article, 2007

Martins, A., I. Couto, L. Aagaard, M. Martins, M. Viveiros, J. E. Kristiansen, and L. Amaral., Prolonged exposure of MRSA COL to increasing concentrations of oxacillin result in an MDR phenotype, International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents, 29, 2007, p302 - 305 Journal Article, 2007

Amaral, L., M. Martins, and M. Viveiros. , Phenothiazines as Anti-Multi-Drug Resistant Tubercular Agents, Infect. Disord. Drug Targets, 7, 2007, p257 - 265 Review Article, 2007

Dutta, N. K., A. Subramanian, K. Mazumdar, S. G. Dastidar, J. E. Kristiansen, J. Molnar, M. Martins, and L. Amaral. , Potential management of resistant microbial infections with a novel nonantibiotic: the anti-inflammatory drug diclofenac sodium. , International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents, 30, 2007, p242 - 249 Journal Article, 2007

Martins, M., Z. Schelz, A. Martins, J. Molnar, G. Hajös, Z. Riedl, M. Viveiros, I. Yalcin, and L. Amaral. , In vitro and ex vivo activity of thioridazine derivatives against Mycobacterium tuberculosis., International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents, 29, 2007, p338 - 340 Journal Article, 2007

Duarte, N., M. J. Ferreira, M. Martins, M. Viveiros, and L. Amaral, Antibacterial activity of ergosterol peroxide against Mycobacterium tuberculosis: dependence upon system and medium employed. , Phytotherapy Research , 21, 2007, p601 - 604 Journal Article, 2007

, Prolonged exposure of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) COL strain to increasing concentrations of oxacillin results in a multidrug-resistant phenotype, 2007 Journal Article, 2007

Martins, M., M. Viveiros, D. Ordway, J. E. Kristiansen, J. Molnar, and L. Amaral. , Reserpine, ouabain and the calcium channel blocker verapamil, cause intracellular killing of Staphylococcus aureus., Research Journal of Microbiology , 1, 2006, p203 - 209 Journal Article, 2006

Martins, M., B. Santos, A. Martins, M. Viveiros, I. Couto, A. Cruz, J. M. Pagès, J. Molnar, S. Fanning, L. Amaral, and Management Committee Members of COST B16; European Commission/European Science Foundation. , An instrument-free method for the demonstration of efflux pump activity of bacteria., In Vivo, 20, 2006, p657 - 664 Journal Article, 2006

Amaral, L., M. Martins, and M. Viveiros. , Treatment of Tuberculosis in HIV Infected Patients. , Int. J. Infect. Dis. , 10 , (Suppl1), 2006, ppS228:50- Conference Paper, 2006

Martins, A., I. Couto, L. Aagaard, M. Martins, M. Viveiros, J. E. Kristiansen, and L, Amaral. , Increasing concentrations of oxacillin yield efflux pump mediated MDR phenotype of MRSA COL. , Research J. Med. Sci, 1, 2006, p13 - 15 Journal Article, 2006

Kristiansen, M. K., C. Leandro, D. Ordway, M. Martins, M. Viveiros, T. Pacheco, J. E. Kristiansen, and L. Amaral. , Thioridazine reduces resistance of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus by inhibiting a reserpine and CCCP sensitive putative efflux pumps, In Vivo , 20, 2006, p361 - 366 Journal Article, 2006

Viveiros, M., A. Jesus, M. Brito, C. Leandro, M. Martins, D. Ordway, A. M. Molnar, J. Molnar, and L. Amaral. , Inducement and reversal of tetracycline resistance in Escherichia coli K12 through the expression of proton gradient dependent multidrug efflux pump genes. , Antimicrobial Agents and Chematherapy, 49, 2005, p3578 - 3582 Journal Article, 2005

Viveiros, M., M. Martins, I. Couto, J. E. Kristiansen, J. Molnár, and L. Amaral. , The in vitro activity of phenothiazines against Mycobacterium avium: potential of thioridazine for therapy of the coinfected AIDS patient., In Vivo, 19, 2005, p733 - 736 Journal Article, 2005

Martins M., Santos B., Viveiros M., Couto I., Pages J.M., Molnar J., Fanning S., Cruz A., Amaral L. , An instrument-free method for precise demonstration of efflux pump activity of bacteria, Seventh European Congress of Chemotherapy, Florence (Italy), 20 October, 17, (Suppl.3), 2005, ppS38-S38 - Conference Paper, 2005

Duarte N., Ramalhete C., Martins M., Amaral L., Abreu P., Viveiros M. and Ferreira M.J.U., Isolation of terpenic compounds from the methanolic extract of Euphorbia lagascae. Screening of their in vitro activity against M. tuberculosis and S. aureus. , Revista Portuguesa de Farmácia, 52, 2005, p88 - 89 Journal Article, 2005

Martins, M., D. Ordway, M. Kristiansen, M. Viveiros, C. Leandro, J. Molnar, and L. Amaral. , Inhibition of the Carpobrotus edulis methanol extract on the growth of phagocytosed multidrugresistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Fitoterapia , 76, 2005, p96 - 99 Journal Article, 2005

Ordway, D. J., M. Martins, L. Costa, M. Freire, M. J. Arroz, H. Dockrell, and F. A. Ventura. , Aumento da produção de IL-4 como resposta ao Mycobacterium tuberculosis virulento em doentes com tuberculose em estádio avançado. , Acta Médica Portuguesa, 18, 2005, p27 - 36 Journal Article, 2005

Ordway, D. J., L. Pinto, L. Costa, M. Martins, C. Leandro, M. Viveiros, L. Amaral, M. J. Arroz, F. A. Ventura, and H. M. Dockrell, Gamma delta T cell responses associated with the development of tuberculosis in health care workers, FEMS Immunology and Medical Microbiology, 43, 2005, p339 - 350 Journal Article, 2005

Martins M., Viveiros M., Ordway D., Amaral L. , Killing activity of macrophages infected with multi-drug resistant bacteria is enhanced by thioridazine, ouabain, reserpine and verapamil. , Journal of Chemotherapy, Seventh European Congress of Chemotherapy, Florence, Italy, 17, (Suppl3), 2005, ppS60-S60- Conference Paper, 2005

Amaral, L., M. Viveiros, C. Leandro, M. Martins, D. Ordway, A. N. Molnar, and J. Molnar. , Inducement and reversal of tetracycline resistance in Escherichia coli K-12 through the expression of proton gradient dependent multidrug efflux pumps, Int. J. Antimicrob. Agents , 24, (Suppl 2), 2004, ppS207- Conference Paper, 2004

Ordway, D. J., L. Costa, M. Martins, H. Silveira, L. Amaral, M. J. Arroz, F. A. Ventura, and H. M. Dockrell, Increased Interleukin-4 production by CD8 and gamma delta T cells in health-care workers is associated with the subsequent development of active tuberculosis. , Journal of Infectious Diseases, 190, 2004, p756 - 766 Journal Article, 2004

Martins, M., W. Bleiss, A. Marko, D. Ordway, M. Viveiros, C. Leandro, J. Molnar, J. E. Kristiansen, J. Wecke, and L. Amaral, Clinical concentrations of thioridazine enhance the killing of intracellular methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus: an in vivo, ex vivo and electron microscopy study, In Vivo, 18, 2004, p787 - 794 Journal Article, 2004

Leandro, C., D. Ordway, M. S. Martins, M. Viveiros, L. Pinto, M. J. Arroz, F. A. Ventura, H. M. Dockrell, and L. Amaral. , Health care workers who are to progress to active TB disease present a panel of T cell immune markers predicting such progression, Int. J. Antimicrob. Agents , 24, (Suppl. 2), 2004, ppS167 - S168 Conference Paper, 2004

Amaral, L., D. Ordway, M. Viveiros, M. Martins, and C. Leandro, Thioridazine: evidence supporting its use as alternative therapy for MDR-TB, Int. J. Antimicrob. Agents , 24, (Suppl. 2), 2004, ppS169- Conference Paper, 2004

Kristiansen, M. M., C. Leandro, D. Ordway, M. Martins, M. Viveiros, T. Pacheco, J. E. Kristiansen, and L. Amaral. , Phenothiazines alter resistance of methicillin-resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) to oxacillin in vitro, International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents, 22, 2003, p250 - 253 Journal Article, 2003

Ordway, D., M. Viveiros, C. Leandro, R. Bettencourt, J. Almeida, M. Martins, J. E. Kristiansen, J. Molnar, and L. Amaral. , Clinical concentrations of thioridazine kill intracellular multidrugresistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, 47, 2003, p917 - 922 Journal Article, 2003

Ordway, D. J., H. Silveira, L. Costa, S. Costa, M. Martins, R. Badura, M. J. Arroz, H. M. Dockrell, S. Young, and F. A. A. N. Ventura. , Comparação das respostas celulares imunes induzidas por proteínas filtradas da cultura de Mycobacterium tuberculosis., Revista Portuguesa de Pneumologia , VIII, 2002, p629 - 643 Journal Article, 2002

Martins, M. , Study of the cytokines IL-5 and IFN-γ in patients with Tuberculosis and HIV, Universidade Lusofona de Humanidades e Tecnologias (Lusophone Uni of Humanities & Technologies), 2000 Thesis, 2000

Research Expertise

Description

Dr. Martins is interested in the way that bacteria adapt to certain environments and respond to the stresses encountered, focusing on the bacteria physiological and molecular mechanisms. An area of interest is the way that certain bacteria (e.g. Mycobacterium tuberculosis) are able to manipulate the host, such as the macrophage. Her main interests reside on the use of alternative therapies to treat multidrug resistant bacteria as well as the use of compounds to activate the infected host.

Projects

  • Title
    • TRINITY - Tackling antibiotic Resistance IN Intracellular Salmonella using Thioridazine
  • Summary
    • The worldwide occurrence of antimicrobial resistance and the lack of new antibiotics is jeopardising our ability to treat infections. This triggered the search for novel molecules as well as for the repurposing of existing drugs. One of these compounds, Thioridazine, with activity reported against Mycobacterium tuberculosis will be studied to elucidate its mechanism of action using Salmonella as a model of infection, focusing on its effects on the infected host cells.
  • Funding Agency
    • Welcome Trust
  • Date From
    • 2017
  • Date To
    • 2021
  • Title
    • Unravelling food derived bioactive peptides with dual functionality of antimicrobial and immunomodulating capabilities
  • Summary
    • In this project we used a computational data-mining and feature based approach to unravel the abundance of unexplored peptides from nature and to identify potent, novel antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) from phyto-proteins. We explored Pisum sativum hydrolysed (PSH) protein and evaluated its potential as a bio-preservative. As the "clean label" revolution takes hold, paired with increased consumer demand for natural products, alternative preserving solutions are needed to maintain food safety and limit spoilage. PSH offers an attractive plant-based solution, capable of reducing disease causing pathogens while being economically viable, and environmentally friendly. Expanding on the potential of the PSH, we identified NuriPep 1653, an individual peptide component of the hydrolysate with remarkable antimicrobial activity. AMPs are an integral part of every species contributing to host defence and have been lauded as contenders in combatting the antibiotic crisis. Despite immense scientific efforts to bring antibiotic alternatives to the market, very few have been approved for market sale as they have yet to surpass the activity of traditional therapies. Paired with the reluctance from the pharmaceutical industry to financially support antimicrobial research, this means that the need for novel antimicrobial compounds has never been greater. We have explored the therapeutic potential of NuriPep 1653 against clinically relevant pathogens and highlighted its appeal for the pharmaceutical sector given its limited propensity for inducing resistance, rapid kill kinetics, non-toxic nature, ability to reverse resistance and synergise with conventional antibiotic therapies. Moreover, NuriPep 1653 reduced the activation of pathways and cytokines associated with pro-inflammatory response indicating its abilities to modulate the host immune response. This vastly expands the therapeutic potential of the peptide. Overall, we were able to use a novel discovery approach to identify AMPs encrypted within phyto-proteins. Through PSH and NuriPep 1653, we hope to expand on the current knowledge related to protein hydrolysates and AMPs and inch closer to providing novel antimicrobial solutions across the food and pharmaceutical industries.
  • Funding Agency
    • Irish Research Council (IRC)
  • Date From
    • 2015
  • Date To
    • 2019

Keywords

Alternative therapies; Antimicrobial resistance; Applied and Environmental microbiology; Bacterial pathogenicity; Bacteriology and bacterial pathogenesis; Biomedical sciences; Clinical research, trials; Diagnostics; Drug discovery, profiling, targeting; Host, Pathogen interactions; Immune system; Immunomodulation; In vitro testing, trial methods; Macrophage infection; Multidrug Resistance; Tuberculosis

Recognition

Representations

ESCMID Database of Trusted Reviewers as Research Grant Reviewer of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID). 2014-

Awards and Honours

Provost's PhD Award, Trinity College Dublin 2020

Society for General Microbiology Travel Grant 2014

Newman Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Food Safety; Vétoquinol SA 2013-2015

Short Term Scientific Mission grant, COST scientific programme on Antibiotic Transport and Efflux: New Strategies to combat bacterial resistance (ATENS). 2009

ASM Student and Post Doctoral Fellow Travel Grant. 2007

PhD fellowship grant awarded by Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), Portugal. 2004-2008

Memberships

American Society of Microbiology (ASM) 2007

Society for Applied Microbiology (sfam) 2011

International Association for Food Protection (IAFP) 2011

European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID) 2013

Society for General Microbiology (SGM) 2013