Researchers in the Lewis Lab study several related subjects – persister cells, microbiomes, and uncultured bacteria – enabling their work on antibiotic discovery. Persisters are dormant variants of regular cells which are tolerant to antibiotics and responsible for recalcitrance of biofilm infections.
The Lewis Lab identified a number of mechanisms for persister formation, and the first compound that kills them, acyldepsipeptide (Nature, 2013). Uncultured bacteria make up the majority of species in the environment, and are present in the human microbiome. They developed methods to grow these bacteria, and are finding growth factors that allowed them to be cultured in the lab. This led to the discovery of teixobactin, the first antibiotic with no detectable resistance (Nature 2015; 2021). A search for antibiotics from the microbiome led to the discovery of darobactin antibiotics (Nature 2019; 2022).
The Lewis Lab is currently developing a screen for antibiotics using single cell encapsulation in microdroplets containing intelligent reporters, and a microfluidics cell sorter.
Publications
In The News
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Six Northeastern Professors Named to 2019 List of ‘Highly Cited Researchers’ Around the Globe
The 2019 Highly Cited Researchers list features has included six Northeastern researchers who rank in in the top 1 percent by citations in their fields between 2006 and 2016. -
Intestinal Bacteria Could Give Doctors an Objective Test for Chronic Lyme Disease
Chronic Lyme disease is a relatively unknown to the general public, but horrific fact of life for many. A new way of identifying this mysterious syndrome doesn't involve any bulls-eye rashes, but your gut. -
Four Northeastern Researchers Named to 2020 List of ‘Highly Cited Researchers’
Each year, the researchers most cited by their peers are recognized for their achievements in science. This year the College of Science has four faculty with the distinction. -
It’s tick season. Here’s everything you need to know about Lyme disease
It's tick season. Kim Lewis, university distinguished professor of biology and director of the Antimicrobial Discovery Center at Northeastern, answers questions about ticks including Lyme disease prevention, symptoms, and more. -
Could this treatment prevent chronic Lyme disease?
Biology professor, Kim Lewis' research points to potential cure for chronic Lyme disease. -
Four Northeastern Professors Earn Their Place on 2021’s List of “Highly Cited Researchers”
Recognizing the groundbreaking research of four faculty members who have been named on 2021's list of "Highly Cited Researchers." -
COS Connects: Solving Antibiotic Resistance
Hear from biology professors Kim Lewis and Eddie Geisinger to learn about the research being done to combat antibiotic resistance. Our researchers share novel solutions to this widespread issue, including the research strategies and sophisticated advancements in drug development that have made it all possible. -
The teeny, tiny ticks that cause the most Lyme disease are out
Summer is here, meaning it’s time to break out the tick protection along with the sunscreen. Although the deer ticks that transmit Lyme disease are active whenever it’s above freezing, they are not only out now, they are so tiny—the size of a pencil tip or poppy seed—they are practically invisible. -
Could ‘new’ antibiotic treatment prevent chronic Lyme disease?
Every year, tens of thousands of new Lyme disease patients find that their symptoms persist even after the standard course of antibiotic treatment. -
Will the new vaccines prevent Lyme disease?
Cases of Lyme disease are exploding across the United States, but don’t expect a magic bullet against the tick-borne illness to arrive any time soon. -
New antibiotic that could treat drug-resistant infections and superbugs discovered by Northeastern microbiologist in collaboration with NovoBiotic
A new antibiotic discovered by Northeastern distinguished professor Kim Lewis could be a significant new weapon in the growing fight against drug-resistant bacterial infections. -
Experimental antibiotic treatment for Lyme heads for human safety trials
Human safety trials of a novel antibiotic treatment for Lyme disease developed by Northeastern professor Kim Lewis are scheduled to start this spring in Australia, with results anticipated by fall. “Hopefully, the results will be positive,” says Lewis, University Distinguished Professor of Biology. So far the therapeutic agent, an antibiotic known as hygromycin A, has […] -
Northeastern researcher Kim Lewis joins effort to accelerate discovery of new antibiotics
Northeastern researcher Kim Lewis is spearheading an effort to accelerate discovery of new antibiotics as part of a multi-institutional, federally funded project to tackle the growing problem of antibiotic resistance. “It’s a big issue because we largely stopped introducing novel antibiotics about 50 years ago,” says Lewis, distinguished professor of biology and director of Northeastern’s […] -
Research
This antibiotic is effective against anthrax, and has no detectable resistance, Northeastern research finds
Kim Lewis and Slava Epstein, Northeastern biology professors, developed an antibiotic over a decade ago that can now be used against anthrax. -
News
How to prevent tick bites: 5 expert tips for summer safety
Worried about ticks this summer? Kim Lewis, professor of biology, has some tips and tricks on how to prevent tick bites!