Palacky University

OSTRAVA, Czech Republic, Oct. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Scientists from Palacký University Olomouc (UP) and the Technical University of Ostrava (VSB-TUO), in collaboration with colleagues from China, have discovered a groundbreaking method for developing a new generation of antibiotics. These antibiotics not only combat a wide range of bacteria but also effectively prevent the development of bacterial resistance. By employing atomic engineering, the researchers transformed manganese—a trace element vital for human health—into a potent antibiotic by embedding it in the structure of chemically modified graphene. Tests conducted on animal models have demonstrated the material's significant potential, particularly in localized therapies such as wound healing. The discovery has been published in the prestigious journal Advanced Materials, and the team has filed a European patent to safeguard their innovation. "The material we developed successfully kills and inhibits the growth of all bacteria we studied, including highly resistant pathogens. It operates at low concentrations, which are completely harmless to human cells. Furthermore, bacteria cannot develop resistance to it, thus addressing one of modern medicine's most pressing challenges. These promising results position atomic antibiotics for practical use in the near future," said Radek Zbořil, a physical chemist and author of the research concept, who works at the Czech Advanced Technology and Research Institute (CATRIN UP) and the Centre for Energy and Environmental Technologies (CEET) at VSB-TUO. A Frontal Attack with Manganese In developing this antibiotic, the scientists drew on their expertise in graphene chemistry and atomic engineering, fields they have extensively studied in recent years. This time, they utilized a graphene derivative enriched with oxygen and nitrogen atoms, chemically incorporating manganese—a transition metal that is involved in metabolism, bone formation, blood sugar regulation and cellular protection against oxidative stress. "We chose to target one of the strongest defences of bacteria—the carbohydrates in their cell walls and membranes, which are crucial for their survival. These carbohydrates play a protective role, facilitate substance transfer, enable communication with the environment, and serve as energy reserves. By chemically binding manganese to specific carbohydrate groups, we suppressed these critical functions, ultimately causing cell death. The graphene carrier plays an essential role by ensuring the delivery of manganese ions to the bacterial surface, which enables a direct chemical attack on the carbohydrate molecules," Zbořil explained. Effective Against Even the Most Resistant Bacteria The new material also shows remarkable efficacy against bacteria that existing antibiotics struggle to combat. "We observed an excellent bactericidal effect against all bacteria from the ESCAPE group, which includes highly resistant bacterial pathogens. These bacteria are particularly dangerous because they are resistant to conventional antibiotics, which complicates treatment and increases the risk of severe infections, especially in hospital settings. The atomic antibiotic was the only agent that proved effective against all resistant bacteria, compared to commercial antibiotics," said David Panáček, the first author of the paper, from CATRIN UP and CEET VSB-TUO. The researchers tested the atomic antibiotic's effect not only in laboratory settings but also in mouse models in collaboration with their Chinese colleagues. "In in-vivo tests, skin infections caused by resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus (golden staph) healed quickly and effectively, with all markers of inflammation significantly reduced. We are now considering its use for wound dressings or antibacterial treatments on surfaces of artificial materials. There is tremendous potential to prevent bacterial biofilms from forming on devices such as artificial joint replacements, stents, or cannulas. Given its mode of action, this new material could also help prevent secondary infections, which would have a major impact on healthcare," said Milan Kolář, a microbiologist and Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry at Palacký University Olomouc, who played a key role in the research. Atomic Antibiotics Open New Possibilities The research team plans to continue exploring the material's potential for systemic antibiotic treatments. "Some serious infections are now untreatable with existing antibiotics, and bacterial sepsis is becoming an increasingly common cause of death. We aim to test atomic antibiotics' effectiveness in treating the most severe bacterial diseases," Kolář added. According to the United Nations, if bacterial resistance continues to rise at its current pace, by 2050 untreatable infections caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria could become the leading cause of death worldwide. These so-called 'superbugs' pose a global threat, necessitating the development of new antibacterial agents that can bypass the defence mechanisms bacteria use to protect themselves. This research, which also involved colleagues from the Faculty of Science at Palacký University Olomouc and two Chinese institutions, highlights the untapped potential of atomic engineering in addressing one of humanity's most urgent scientific and social challenges. Read the paper at: Single Atom Engineered Antibiotics Overcome Bacterial Resistance - Panáček - Advanced Materials - Wiley Online Library SOURCE VSB - Technical University of Ostrava WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM? 440k+ Newsrooms & Influencers 9k+ Digital Media Outlets 270k+ Journalists Opted In GET STARTED

– Agios to Present New Analyses from ACTIVATE, ACTIVATE-T and Long-Term Extension Studies in Adults with PK Deficiency Reinforcing Clinical Benefit of PYRUKYND® (mitapivat) on Hemoglobin, Hemolysis, Iron Overload and Patient-Reported Outcomes – – Agios to Present Updated Real-World Data on the Burden of Disease in Pyruvate Kinase (PK) Deficiency and Alpha- and Beta-Thalassemia – – Updated Clinical Data to Be Presented from Investigator-Sponsored ESTIMATE Phase 2 Study of PYRUKYND® in Sickle Cell Disease – CAMBRIDGE, Mass., May 11, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Agios Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: AGIO), a leader in the field of cellular metabolism pioneering therapies for rare diseases, today announced that the company and its collaborators will present a broad range of clinical and translational data at the European Hematology Association (EHA) Hybrid Congress, hosted virtually and in person in Frankfurt, Germany, June 8-11, 2023, and continuing virtually on the Congress platform June 14-15, 2023. The accepted abstracts are listed below and are available online on the EHA meeting library website. All posters will be presented during the poster session on Friday, June 9 at 16:30-17:45 CEST. All presentations can be accessed on demand by registered meeting attendees on the EHA Virtual Congress platform until Aug. 15, 2023. Agios-led Abstracts: Poster Presentations Title: Healthcare Resource Use, Economic Burden and In-Patient Mortality in Patients with Alpha- and Beta-Thalassemia Compared to Matched Controls in the Real-World SettingAbstract: P1463Presenting Author: Louise Lombard, M Nutr, Agios Pharmaceuticals, Cambridge, MA, United States Title: Clinically Relevant Hemoglobin Response in Adults with Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency Treated with Mitapivat – A Sub-Analysis of the ACTIVATE TrialAbstract: P1473Presenting Author: Hanny Al-Samkari, M.D., Division of Hematology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States Title: The Clinical Characteristics and Overall Survival of Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency Patients in the UK: A Real-World StudyAbstract: P1476Presenting Author: Sarah Higa, PharmD, M.S., Agios Pharmaceuticals, Cambridge, MA, United States Title: Mitapivat Efficacy in Adults with Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency and Baseline Hemoglobin Levels >10 g/dLAbstract: P1477Presenting Author: Rachael F. Grace, M.D., Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States Title: Comorbidities and Complications in Adults with Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency According to Hemoglobin Strata – A Descriptive Analysis from the Peak RegistryAbstract: P1479Presenting Author: Dagmar Pospíšilová, M.D., Ph.D., Department of Pediatrics, Palacky University and University Hospital, Olomouc, Czech Republic Title: PKM And PKR Expression During Hematopoiesis and ErythropoiesisAbstract: P1485Presenting Author: Erin Tsai, M.S., Agios Pharmaceuticals, Cambridge, MA, United States Title: Mitapivat Improves Iron Overload in Patients with Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency Who Are Regularly TransfusedAbstract: P1497Presenting Author: Eduard J. van Beers, M.D., Center for Benign Haematology, Thrombosis and Haemostasis, Van Creveldkliniek, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands Publication Only Title: Estimating Utility Values for Health States in Pyruvate Kinase DeficiencyAbstract: PB2547Lead Author: Sarah Higa, PharmD, M.S., Agios Pharmaceuticals, Cambridge, MA, United States Collaborator-led Abstracts: Poster Presentations Title: AG946, A Pyruvate Kinase (PK) Activator Improves PK Properties and Red Blood Cell (RBC) Metabolism Upon Ex Vivo Treatment of RBCs from Patients with Myelodysplastic SyndromesAbstract: P717Presenting Author: Jonathan de Wilde, MSc, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands Title: One-Year Follow-Up of a Phase 2 Study of Mitapivat, an Oral Pyruvate Kinase Activator, for the Treatment of Sickle Cell DiseaseAbstract: P1424Presenting Author: Myrthe J. van Dijk, Ph.D., Division Laboratories, Pharmacy and Biomedical Genetics, CDL en Van Creveldkliniek , University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands Title: Rare Anaemia Disorders European Epidemiological Platform (RADeep): Distribution of Patients Affected by RADs in EuropeAbstract: P1427Presenting Author: Maria Del Mar Mañú Pereira, Ph.D., Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Group of Translational Research in Cancer and Blood disorders in Children, Barcelona, Spain Title: Mitapivat Ameliorates In Vitro Human β Thalassemic Erythroid Maturation Index and Modulates the Expression of Peroxiredoxin-2Abstract: P1458Presenting Author: Lucia De Franceschi, M.D., Department of Medicine, University of Verona, and Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Verona, Policlinico GB Rossi, Verona, Italy Publication Only Title: Glycolytic Activity and Effect of Ex-Vivo Treatment with the Pyruvate Kinase (PK) Activator AG-946 in Red Blood Cells (RBC) From Low-Risk Myelodysplastic Syndromes (LR-MDS) Patients: A Proof-Of-Concept StudyAbstract: PB1990Lead Author: Bruno Fattizzo, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, University of Milan, Milan, Italy Title: A Pilot Study of the International Hemoglobinopathy Research Network (INHERENT)Abstract: PB2515Lead Author: Petros Kountouris, Ph.D., The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus About AgiosAgios is a biopharmaceutical company that is fueled by connections. The Agios team cultivates strong bonds with patient communities, healthcare professionals, partners and colleagues to discover, develop and deliver therapies for rare diseases. In the U.S., Agios markets a first-in-class pyruvate kinase (PK) activator for adults with PK deficiency, the first disease-modifying therapy for this rare, lifelong, debilitating hemolytic anemia. Building on the company's leadership in the field of cellular metabolism, Agios is advancing a robust clinical pipeline of investigational medicines with programs in alpha- and beta-thalassemia, sickle cell disease, pediatric PK deficiency and MDS-associated anemia. In addition to its clinical pipeline, Agios has a PAH stabilizer in preclinical development as a potential treatment for phenylketonuria (PKU) and deep scientific expertise in classical hematology. For more information, please visit the company’s website at . Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking StatementsThis press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements include those regarding the potential benefits of mitapivat and AG-946; Agios’ plans regarding future data presentations; and the potential benefit of its strategic plans and focus. The words “anticipate,” “expect,” “goal,” “hope,” “milestone,” “plan,” “potential,” “possible,” “strategy,” “will,” “vision,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Such statements are subject to numerous important factors, risks and uncertainties that may cause actual events or results to differ materially from Agios’ current expectations and beliefs. For example, there can be no guarantee that any product candidate Agios is developing will successfully commence or complete necessary preclinical and clinical development phases, or that development of any of Agios’ product candidates will successfully continue. There can be no guarantee that any positive developments in Agios’ business will result in stock price appreciation. Management's expectations and, therefore, any forward-looking statements in this press release could also be affected by risks and uncertainties relating to a number of other important factors, including, without limitation: risks and uncertainties related to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic or other public health emergencies to Agios’ business, operations, strategy, goals and anticipated milestones, including its ongoing and planned research activities, ability to conduct ongoing and planned clinical trials, clinical supply of current or future drug candidates, commercial supply of current or future approved products, and launching, marketing and selling current or future approved products; Agios’ results of clinical trials and preclinical studies, including subsequent analysis of existing data and new data received from ongoing and future studies; the content and timing of decisions made by the U.S. FDA, the EMA or other regulatory authorities, investigational review boards at clinical trial sites and publication review bodies; Agios’ ability to obtain and maintain requisite regulatory approvals and to enroll patients in its planned clinical trials; unplanned cash requirements and expenditures; competitive factors; Agios' ability to obtain, maintain and enforce patent and other intellectual property protection for any product candidates it is developing; Agios’ ability to maintain key collaborations; the failure of Agios to receive milestone or royalty payments related to the sale of its oncology business, the uncertainty of the timing of any receipt of any such payments, and the uncertainty of the results and effectiveness of the use of proceeds from the transaction with Servier; and general economic and market conditions. These and other risks are described in greater detail under the caption "Risk Factors" included in Agios’ public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date hereof, and Agios expressly disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. Contacts: Investor ContactCecilia Jones, Chief Financial OfficerAgios PharmaceuticalsIR@agios.com Media Contact Dan Budwick1AB Media dan@1abmedia.com

A new study finds gold atoms could be key to unlocking organic (carbon-based) reactions, potential building blocks in constructing materials with electronic properties useful in energy-efficient future technologies. Atomic-scale materials control revealed that the addition of a single gold atom allowed controlled reactions of the target organic molecules. A new Australian-led stud finds gold atoms could be key to unlocking organic reactions. Organic molecules are the building blocks for materials we use every day -- from our clothes and coffee cups to the screen displays of our phones. Controlling reactions of these organic molecules is the key to designing materials with functional properties. Reactions targeting carbon-hydrogen (C-H) bonds have long been of scientific interest given that almost all organic molecules contain these bonds. Led by FLEET at Monash University, a new study (published this week in the Journal of the American Chemical Society) finds that individual gold atoms may provide a low energy route for reactions which can target specific C-H bonds. The 'Holy Grail' of Chemical Reactions "One of FLEET's goals is the development of materials whose electronic properties may be exploited in low-energy technologies," says corresponding author A/Prof Agustin Schiffrin. Organic molecules may serve as useful building blocks for tuneable construction of these materials, provided reactions between molecules can be controlled at the atomic scale. Carbon-hydrogen bonds are among the most common bonds in organic molecules. Because of this, the ability to target specific C-H bonds in chemical reactions has been described by some researchers as the "holy grail." Unfortunately, two big challenges stand in the way of C-H activation reactions: All That Glitters…? The Monash researchers have found that single gold atoms may provide a route to C-H activation. The researchers combined small numbers of individual gold atoms with organic 9,10-dicyanoanthracene (DCA) molecules on an atomically flat surface of silver, Ag(111). "We used atomic-scale experimental techniques -- scanning tunnelling microscopy and atomic force microscopy -- to image and characterise the samples," explains lead author Benjamin Lowe, who is a FLEET PhD student at Monash. "These techniques revealed unusual covalent bonds between the carbon atoms of the DCA molecules and the gold atoms." The formation of such covalent bonds suggested that specific C-H bonds had to have first been broken. Working with theoretical collaborators at the Czech Academy of Sciences, the researchers uncovered a reaction pathway which suggested that a metal-organic intermediate state formed by single gold atoms with pairs of DCA molecules could help such a reaction proceed. Significantly, the reaction pathway uncovered can only explain C-H breaking of one specific C-H bond. The researchers found a dramatic decrease of the energy required to break this specific C-H bond (activation barrier), enabling the reaction at room temperature. "This study directly addresses the two biggest challenges -- namely poor selectivity and high activation barrier -- that limit specific dissociation of C-H bonds in organic molecules," explains FLEET Chief Investigator Agustin Schiffrin. "Our approach can potentially open the door to the synthesis of novel organic and metal-organic nanomaterials, with properties useful for electronics, optoelectronics, sensing, catalysis, etc." What's Next? Given the broad interest in reactions of organic molecules across a range of fields, this promising reaction has many potential applications such as polymer fabrication and modification of pharmaceutical products. At FLEET, the researchers hope to exploit this selective and efficient reaction to produce atomically thin materials with desirable electronic properties. The study was led by the School of Physics and Astronomy, Monash University, with co-authors from the Institute of Physics, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, and Palacký University, Czech Republic. As well as support from the Australian Research Council (Centre of Excellence and Future Fellowship programs), the authors acknowledge support from the Czech Academy of Science and Czech Science Foundation (Praemium Academie), and from the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic (e-Infrastruktura CZ). Benjamin Lowe conducted the study in A/Prof Agustin Schiffrin's group at Monash University, which investigates the electronic properties of organic and metal-organic materials at the atomic scale. Using state-of-the-art nanomaterial synthesis and scanning probe microscopy techniques at Monash University, the group works on the synthesis of novel materials that could be used in ultra-low energy electronic devices.