Funded by:
Uniting German and Ukrainian expertise to discover nature's solutions against antimicrobial resistance.
The worldwide rise of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global menace to public health. Bacterial infections are becoming increasingly difficult, sometimes impossible, to treat as existing medicines lose their effectiveness. Millions of lives are impacted yearly, returning healthcare to a pre-antibiotic era when even minor infections were deadly.
The German-Ukrainian Core of Excellence in Natural Products Research (CENtR) was established to confront this challenge. We are a dedicated German-Ukrainian scientific partnership focused on discovering novel natural products - compounds made by a living organisms with potent biological activities.
Our primary goal is to find new drug candidates from microbial sources to replenish the depleting antibiotic development pipeline and safeguard human health.
Nature holds a treasure trove of novel chemicals arising from secondary metabolism of bacteria and fungi. At CENtR, we explore the rich biodiversity of microorganisms, particularly Actinomycetes - a group of diverse bacteria with complex developmental and metabolic properties, sourced from different environments. These microorganisms are distinguished as producers of antibiotics and other valuable compounds.
We analyze the genomes of Actinobacteria to identify hidden genetic blueprints for production of novel molecules.
We use synthetic biology tools to access and activate these blueprints and engineer microorganisms for efficient production of promising compounds.
We concentrate on genes rather than bacterial strains, increasing the chances of finding truly unique and effective natural products.
This integrated approach allows us to build a robust platform for discovering, isolating, and developing the next generation of bioactive compounds.
The significant depletion in inflow of new chemical entities into antibiotic development pipeline is one of the reasons for the AMR crysis. CENtR goal is to provide new ready to develop drug candidates of natural origin by employing a complex approach combining microbiology, microbial ecology, genetic engineering and synthetic biology:
Sampling diverse types of materials from different locations focusing on the microbiome's contribution to ecosystem functions, isolation and initial characterization of the actinobacterial strains, assembly of a strain collection and a one-strain many-compounds extracts library.
Genome sequencing of isolated bacteria followed by bioinformatic identification & prioritization of the biosynthetic gene clusters (BGC) to define the most promising in terms of chemical properties of produced metabolites. Massive & targeted cloning of BGCs for heterologous expression in engineered hosts.
Purification and isolation of the identified bioactive compounds, structure elucidation and complete characterization of chemical and biological properties, elucidation of biosynthetic routes, and ways to improve their production and construct new derivatives.
Initial pharmacological profiling of the most promising compounds, including the toxicity studies on model species, mode of action, target identification, resistance development assessment, structure-activity relationships, possible pathways toward new derivatives with improved properties.
Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS), Germany
Saarland University (UdS), Germany
Explogen LLC (EXG), Ukraine
Ivan Franko National University of Lviv (LNU), Ukraine
Operating as an independent, non-profit international non-governmental organization (INGO), CENtR is proudly based in Lviv, Ukraine. Our work is guided by experienced scientists, including:
(Co-Head of Board)
(Co-Head of Board)
(Scientific Director)
In response to the challenges posed by the war, CENtR is actively collaborating with the Superhumans Center in Lviv.
This crucial partnership involves applying advanced genomic analysis to study the multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria isolated from the wounds of the injured Ukrainian soldiers.
Through genomic sequencing and analysis, we decipher the specific resistance mechanisms behind the resistance phenotype, aiming to provide vital information that can help guide the treatment strategies and identify the routes of AMR infections dissemination between patients and healthcare units.
Our core mission is clear: to contribute vital new solutions in the global fight against antimicrobial resistance. But our impact extends further.
We believe that collaborative science and education can create a healthier, more resilient world.
Supporting and advancing the Ukrainian scientific community, particularly in biotechnology and pharmaceutical sectors, especially amidst these difficult and challenging times.
Training and educating the next generation of researchers through hands-on experience, workshops, in lab training sessions and international summer school in natural products research.
Establishing a self-sustaining center of excellence in Lviv, fostering innovation and driving progress in natural product research long into the future.