Our name—Antimicrobial Compound Discovery Center (ACDC)—perfectly reflects our primary mission: the identification of novel antimicrobial compounds.
As part of the Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology (MMI) at The University of Texas at San Antonio, the ACDC was established to confront the escalating global crisis of antibiotic resistance through important research on the unexplored metabolic potential of Texas environments. By conducting systematic bioprospecting of diverse soil microbiomes, the Center is dedicated to the identification, characterization, and isolation of novel antimicrobial compounds that can neutralize multidrug-resistant pathogens.
ACDC's mission is driven by the urgent need to combat clinically relevant pathogens, particularly those within the ESKAPE group (Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter species), which are rapidly developing resistance to existing antibiotics.
Through this rigorous exploration of local biodiversity, ACDC seeks to secure the future of global healthcare by delivering the next generation of life-saving antimicrobial therapies.
The Antimicrobial Compound Discovery Center (ACDC) is supported by the Office of Academic Innovation through a Connect and Thrive Grant. PI: Dr. Xhavit Zogaj.
