Doherty, Kyle (2023) Targeting Bacterial and Fungal Pathogens through Novel Glycoconjugate-based Anti-Virulence Strategies. PhD thesis, National University of Ireland Maynooth.
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2027-Kyle Doherty-PhD Thesis.pdf
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Abstract
Numerous strategies have been developed to treat both bacterial and fungal
infections. Of these strategies, the anti-adhesion strategy is of particular relevance
to this work. Novel approaches to treat these infections are of particular importance
due to the rapidly increasing prevalence of both bacterial and fungal resistant strains.
Anti-virulence strategies are of interest due to an inherently lower selective pressure
for resistant strains.
This thesis builds on previous work in our group and presents the synthesis of novel
derivatives of lead compounds developed through a combination of synthetic
carbohydrate chemistry and Copper-catalysed Azide-Alkyne Cycloaddition (CuAAC).
Chapter 2 describes the study of the structural requirements for an interesting
intramolecular cyclisation reaction in cis-Norbornene compounds: this reaction can
lead to the development of potential pH-responsive compounds. Novel anti�adhesion compounds designed to combine anti-adhesion and anti-biofilm activity
based on this scaffold are discussed. Chapter 3 describes the development of
glycoconjugates with covalent crosslinking abilities in combination with inherent
anti-adhesion activity for C. albicans, along with toxicity testing against several
Candida spp. Chapter 4 describes a structure-activity-relationship (SAR) study of our
lead compound, which included replacements with heterocycles, aromatic
substituents and sp2
-glycomimetic analogues. Some of these derivatives exhibit
comparable activity to this lead compound and open the door to the use of
glycomimetics as anti-adhesion compounds in fungal infections. Additionally, a
derivative of the lead compound was functionalized for resin modification and
identification of the target lectin. This will ultimately allow for more efficient design
of high affinity analogues. Chapter 5 describes the synthesis of a number of
glycoconjugates exhibiting exciting dual anti-conjugation and anti-biofilm activities.
These compounds are promising due to the key roles bacterial conjugation plays in
the spread of AMR through horizontal gene transfer (HGT). Currently, preparation of
fluorescently-labelled derivatives of these compounds is underway and it is hoped
that this may help elucidate the mechanism of action of these compounds.
Item Type: | Thesis (PhD) |
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Keywords: | Bacterial Pathogens; Fungal Pathogens; Novel Glycoconjugate-based; Anti-Virulence Strategies; |
Academic Unit: | Faculty of Science and Engineering > Chemistry |
Item ID: | 20091 |
Depositing User: | IR eTheses |
Date Deposited: | 26 Jun 2025 10:23 |
URI: | https://mural.maynoothuniversity.ie/id/eprint/20091 |
Use Licence: | This item is available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Licence (CC BY-NC-SA). Details of this licence are available here |
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