P6: Controlling bacterial biofilms and persister cells by novel brominated furanones

Bacteria are well known to obtain intrinsic tolerance to antibiotics by forming surface-attached sessile colonies, known as biofilms, and by forming metabolically inactive cells, known as persister cells. Such intrinsic tolerance also facilitates the development of multidrug resistance through acquired mechanisms, presenting a great challenge to infection control.

Accumulating evidence suggests that bacterial biofilm development and persister formation are controlled by cell density through a cell-cell signaling system known as quorum sensing. Thus, new therapies targeting quorum sensing have potential to effectively control chronic infections. Recently, we synthesized several new brominated furanones and demonstrated that they are strong inhibitors of bacterial quorum sensing and biofilm formation. Furthermore, (E)-4-bromo-5-(bromomethylene)-3-methylfuran-2(5H)-one was found to increase the susceptibility of Pseudomonas aeruginosa persister cells to ciprofloxacin more than 100 fold compared to the untreated control. The activities of these compounds and their potential applications will be discussed.