Ed Yu (CWRU Pharmacology, School of Medicine)

Date: Thu. February 12th, 2026, 4:00 pm-5:00 pm
Location: Rockefeller 301

Structure and assembly of antimicrobial efflux transporters in bacteria

To mediate resistance to a broad spectrum of antimicrobial agents, bacterial pathogens acquire
various mechanisms, including multidrug efflux transporter expression and the strengthening of
bacterial cell walls, to promote infection and threaten the lives of vulnerable patients. These
pathogens use membrane proteins belonging to the resistance-nodulation-cell division (RND)
superfamily to transform themselves into “superbugs” that are resistant even to last resort
antibiotics. Our cumulative data indicate that these RND membrane proteins can utilize different
oligomerization states to form multidrug resistance (MDR) pumps and cell wall remodeling
machinery to ensure bacterial survival.