June 15, 2016
Dr. David Sherman discusses research efforts to stay ahead of drug-resistant bacteria

David Sherman, PhD, Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Education and Hans W. Vahlteich Professor of Medicinal Chemistry, recently discussed in an interview research efforts to stay ahead of drug-resistant bacteria. 

Health officials recently announced the first case in the U.S. of E. coli resistant to colistin, a “last resort” antibiotic.

Officials have called the public risk from this particular case low, but say it’s indicative of a larger, pressing public health issue. Both the Centers for Disease Control and World Health Organization have highlighted the spread of drug-resistant “superbugs” as an important global health concern.

Nearly all antibiotics in use today are derived natural molecules made by bacteria to kill their enemies. David Sherman has built his career traveling the globe and collecting samples of microorganisms from diverse environments in quest to discover and develop new types antibiotics to keep us one step ahead of pathogens’ quickly evolving defense strategies. Read Dr. Sherman's interview on the University of Michigan Life Sciences Institute's website