Regensburg 2013 – scientific programme
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BP: Fachverband Biologische Physik
BP 33: Statistical Physics in Biological Systems IV (joint with DY)
BP 33.3: Talk
Friday, March 15, 2013, 10:00–10:15, H44
Efficacy of ribosome-targeting antibiotics determined by a non-linear molecular race — •Philip Greulich1,2, Martin R. Evans2, and Rosalind J. Allen2 — 1Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge — 2School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Edinburgh
Many antibiotics in current clinical use target bacterial ribosomes. We present a dynamical model for the response of a cell to a ribosome-targeting antibiotic. In this model, the efficacy of the antibiotic is determined by a non-linear "molecular race" between binding of the antibiotic to ribosomes and net production of new ribosomes. The model points to a non-trivial growth-rate dependence of the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and predicts a discontinuous transition at the MIC when the antibiotic concentration is varied: the growth rate abruptly drops to zero at this point. Furthermore, the efficacy of an antibiotic treatment depends on both its intensity and duration, and we can determine the relation to critical pharmacokinetic/-dynamic parameters for cell killing.