Grant: DRA : Canada Graduate Research Scholarship - Doctoral Program (CGRS D)

Burkholderia cenocepacia (Bce) is a type of bacteria that causes devastating infections in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. Chronic infections with pathogens such as Bce often lead to respiratory failure in CF patients, and as such, is the leading cause of death in this population. Bce has high levels of resistance to clinically available antibiotics, meaning there is a lack of effective treatment options. Clearing these infections is made harder again by the CF lung environment, where accumulation of stagnant, thick mucus in conjunction with distinct nutritional and environmental characteristics favour the development of chronic infections. Thus, we are interested in understanding how characteristics of the CF lung environment contribute to antimicrobial susceptibility. We are particularly interested in the pH component of CF sputum, which is more acidic than healthy sputum, and the ability of Bce to infect host cells. The aim of the project is to better understand how acidic pH contributes to greater rates of antibiotic resistance and worse disease outcomes in Bce infections, and to develop an infection model to discover more effective therapies against bacteria residing in host cells. We hope our work can help improve treatment options and quality of life for CF patients suffering from chronic infections.