RT Journal Article
T1 Multiplexed bacteriocin synthesis to combat and prevent antimicrobial resistance
A1 Quintero-Yanes, Alex
A1 Petit, Kenny
A1 Rodriguez-Villalobos, Hector
A1 Vande Capelle, Hanne
A1 De Veirman, Olivier
A1 Gerstmans, Hans
A1 Masschelein, Joleen
A1 Borrero Del Pino, Juan
A1 Hols, Pascal
A1 Gabant, Philippe
AB Bacteriocins are underexplored yet promising candidates to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and enable targeted therapy due to their natural origin, abundance and narrow spectrum of activity. In this study, we used a collection of engineered DNA devices and cell-free gene expression (CFE) to rapidly produce combinations (cocktails) of bacteriocins comprising both linear and circular proteins. Other cocktails were designed to target a specific bacterial species by leveraging insights into bacteriocin pathways for cell envelope penetration. These tailored combinations eradicated bacteria effectively while preventing resistance development. The synthesis of bacteriocins was optimized by using continuous exchange CFE, reengineering DNA parts, and adjusting conditions for disulfide bond formation. Also, we illustrate the efficacy of these bacteriocin mixtures against various multidrug-resistant human pathogens and highlight their potential through in vivo testing in the animal model Galleria mellonella. Our bacteriocin cocktail expression and test platform underscores the potential of bacteriocins for innovative treatments against multidrug-resistant infections
PB Nature Research
YR 2025
FD 2025
LK https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/124804
UL https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/124804
LA eng
NO Quintero-Yanes, A., Petit, K., Rodriguez-Villalobos, H., Vande Capelle, H., De Veirman, O., Gerstmans, H., Masschelein, J., Borrero, J., Hols, P., & Gabant, P. (2025). Multiplexed bacteriocin synthesis to combat and prevent antimicrobial resistance. Communications Biology, 8(1), 1246. https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-025-08639-y
NO Author contributions: A.Q.Y., P.G.; conception and design. A.Q.Y., O.D.V., H.R.V., H.V.C., H.G., J.B.; acquisition of data. K.P.; bioinformatic analysis. A.Q.Y., H.R.V., H.V.C., H.G., J.M., P.H.; analysis and interpretation of data. A.Q.Y., H.R.V., H.V.C., H.G., J.M., J.B., P.H., P.G.; draft or revising the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript
NO SWP Research from the Walloon Region ( Bélgica)
NO Fundación de Investigación de Flandes ( Bélgica)
NO Universidad Complutense de Madrid
NO Fondo Nacional Belga para la Investigación Científica ( Bélgica)
DS Docta Complutense
RD 19 ene 2026