(402b) Invited Talk: Nucleic Acid Mimics-Based Strategies to Tackle Antimicrobial Resistance in Bacteria

Nucleic acid mimics (NAMs) or nucleic acid analogues can be engineered to hybridize with specific sequences in bacteria with high affinity and can therefore be used as antisense antibacterials, inhibiting the translation of essential genes in bacteria. However, as the bacterial envelope barrier hinders NAMs internalization, suitable delivery vectors are needed. In here, I will discuss limitations and advantages on the application of liposomes, dendrimers, vitamin B12 and cell-penetrating peptides as carriers for NAMs. Important aspects to discuss include a stable association between the NAMs and the carriers in the presence of biofluids, the type of interaction between the carriers and the cell envelope and also the accumulation of NAMs inside the cell that each carrier is able to achieve.