Jewish Research

There are a number of genetic diseases that are more prevalent among individuals of Jewish heritage than in the general population. These diseases are prevalent in all Ashkenazi, Sephardic, and Mizrahi Jewish populations. Notably, the microbiota plays a crucial role in many of these disease, including:

  • Cystic fibrosis
  • Familial hypercholesterolemia
  • Parkinson’s disease
  • Crohn’s disease
  • Kaposi’s sarcoma

Our studies of social and ethnic factors that affect the human microbiota are dedicated to studying the particularity of the Jewish microbiota. The results of these studies will shed light on the role of these organisms in certain diseases that are more prevalent among the Jewish community, and may define the distinct composition of the microbiota that determines Jewish consciousness.

Cystic fibrosis

The Jewish population exhibits increased incidences of cystic fibrosis (CF) and, accordingly, an increased distribution of mutations in the CFTR gene. Specifically, the carrier frequency for common CF mutations is 30% higher among Ashkenazi Jews that in the general population. As such, the American College of Medical Genetics recommends that these individuals be offered carrier screening. We are delighted to present Mul-1867, a novel, first-in-class antimicrobial agent that can be used for treatment of cystic fibrosis patients suffering from pneumonia caused by drug-resistant bacterial strains. Mul-1867 was originally developed by the IHM core research group, and now is being developed by TGV-inhalonix (Hyperlink to the site).

Parkinson’s disease

IHM scientists discovered and are intensively studying new paradigms regarding the pathogenesis of cognitive diseases. Specifically, we have developed theories that shed light on the mechanisms by which the microbiota, particularly that of Jewish individuals, contributes to these diseases. Our primary research directions are described in the Age-related Cognitive Diseases section (Hyperlink to the раздел этого сайта)

Features of the microbiota that affect the development of Jewish consciousness

Gut microbiota are known to influence the development of the central nervous system and thereby influence brain function and behavior. IHM research is dedicated to characterizing the particularities of the Jewish microbiota that affect Jewish-specific brain function and make Jewish people Jewish.

Jewish microbiota-Jewish diseases

We propose that there is a particular component of the microbiome or a specific microbiota-host interaction that leads to the development of diseases that are more typical among the Jewish population. Research at the IHM is currently dedicated to addressing these questions to enable the treatment and prevention of “Jewish disorders”

READ MORE ABOUT THE JEWISH DISEASES

In vitro antimicrobial activity of a novel compound, Mul-1867, against clinically important bacteria.
Antimicrobial resistance and infection control (2015)

Read article
Publication Type Journal Article
Authors George Tetz

Victor Tetz

Abstract Background

The antimicrobial activity of Mul-1867, a novel synthetic compound, was tested against 18 bacterial strains, including clinical isolates and reference strains from culture collections.

Methods

The minimal inhibitory concentration (MICs) and minimal bactericidal concentration (MBCs) were determined by using the broth macrodilution method. The kinetics of the inhibitory effects of Mul-1867 against biofilm-growing microorganisms was assessed at time-kill test in vitro against 48-h-old biofilms of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Transmission electron microscopy analyses was conducted to examine cell disruption.

Results

A comparative assessment of the antimicrobial activities of Mul-1867 and chlorhexidine digluconate (CHG), used as a control antimicrobial, indicated that Mul-1867 was significantly more effective as a disinfectant than CHG. Mul-1867 showed potent antimicrobial activities against all the tested bacteria (MIC: 0.03–0.5 μg/mL). Furthermore, MBC/MIC ratio of Mul-1867 for all tested strains was less than or equal to 4. Time-kill studies showed that treatment with Mul-1867 (0.05–2 %) reduced bacterial numbers by 2.8–4.8 log10 colony forming units (CFU)/mL within 15–60 s. Bactericidal activity of Mul-1867 was confirmed by morphological changes revealed by TEM suggested that the killing of bacteria was the result of membrane disruption.

Conclusion

Overall, these data indicated that Mul-1867 may be a promising antimicrobial for the treatment and prevention of human infections.

Year of Publication 2015
Journal Annals of Clinical Microbiology and Antimicrobials
DOI 10.1186/s13756-015-0088-x

Antimicrobial activity of Mul-1867, a novel antimicrobial compound, against multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Annals of Clinical Microbiology and Antimicrobials (2016)

Read article
Publication Type Journal Article
Authors George Tetz

Daria Vikina

Victor Tetz

Abstract Background

There is an urgent need for new antimicrobial compounds to treat various lung infections caused by multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MDR-PA).

Methods

We studied the potency of Mul-1867 against MDR-PA isolates from patients with cystic fibrosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and ventilator-associated pneumonia. The minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and minimum biofilm eliminating concentrations (MBECs), defined as the concentrations of drug that kill 50 % (MBEC50), 90 % (MBEC90), and 100 % (MBEC100) of the bacteria in preformed biofilms, were determined by using the broth macrodilution method.

Results

Mul-1867 exhibited significant activity against MDR-PA and susceptible control strains, with MICs ranging from 1.0 to 8.0 µg/mL. Mul-1867 also possesses anti-biofilm activity against mucoid and non-mucoid 24-h-old MDR-PA biofilms. The MBEC50 value was equal to onefold the MIC. The MBEC90 value ranged from two to fourfold the MIC. Moreover, Mul-1867 completely eradicated mature biofilms at the concentrations tested, with MBEC100 values ranging between 16- and 32-fold the MIC. Mul-1867 was non-toxic to Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells at concentrations up to 256 µg/mL.

Conclusion

Overall, these data indicate that Mul-1867 is a promising locally acting antimicrobial for the treatment and prevention of P. aeruginosa infections.

Year of Publication 2016
Journal Annals of Clinical Microbiology and Antimicrobials
DOI 10.1186/s12941-016-0134-4