Antisense technologies have the potential to form a foundation for the development of a new generation of antibiotics. Upon delivery into the bacterial cell, short antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) or mimics thereof can directly modulate bacterial gene expression. The programmable nature of ASOs, which is based on simple base-pairing rules, allows rational and specific drug design. This opens myriad applications including the rapid development of ASOs that can kill emerging pathogens, sensitize drug-resistant strains, or block expression of key virulence factors—all while sparing the native microbiome. However, despite ample proof-of-concept for efficacy against a diverse range of bacterial pathogens in vitro and in vivo, ASOs are yet to advance to the point of drug approval.
The international symposium ASOBIOTICS 2024 will provide a forum to discuss the challenges of progressing antibacterial antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) from a promising area of research to an applied technology capable of addressing the growing antimicrobial resistance crisis and providing solutions for the analysis of genetically intractable microbes.
Session topics will include: RNA target selection and ASO design, evaluation of ASO chemistry, delivery technologies and bacterial uptake mechanisms, and applications to model microbes, microbial consortia and phages. ASOBIOTICS 2024 will offer ample opportunities for informal discussion amongst participants, with the aim of connecting the global community working on antimicrobial ASOs.
The symposium, organized by the Helmholtz Institute for RNA-based Infection Research (HIRI), will take place from September 12 to 13 in Würzburg, Germany.
Registration
Registration is free of charge and is possible until July 15. If you would like to present your research in the form of a poster, please also submit an abstract (Word file, max. 250 words; please include title, affiliation, and if applicable, references) via e-Mail.
Speakers
- Nuno F. Azevedo, University of Porto (PT)
- Lars Barquist, University of Toronto (CA)
- Franziska Faber, University of Würzburg (DE)
- Bruce Geller, Oregon State University (US)
- David Greenberg, UTSW Dallas (US)
- Hans Maric, RVZ, University of Würzburg (DE)
- Peter Nielsen, University of Copenhagen (DK)
- Nadja Patenge, University of Rostock (DE)
- Oliver Seitz, Humboldt University Berlin (DE)
- Joanna Trylska, University of Warsaw (PL)
- Jörg Vogel, Helmholtz Institute for RNA-based Infection research (DE)
- Eylon Yavin, Hebrew University, Jerusalem (IL)
Further information on the speakers can be found on the HIRI conference website.
