Structural study of the tmRNA

In this project, the structure of the 70S ribosome of Enterococcus faecium with the trans-translation complex and a trans-translation inhibitor will be determined to near-atomic resolution using cryo-EM and Single Particle Analysis. This technique is now preferred for studying the 3D structure of large, fully hydrated macromolecular complexes, allowing observation of biologically relevant conformational changes. Currently, this approach is extensively used to analyze ribosome binding of antimicrobial compounds across multiple species, including studies of trans-translation inhibitors. In the current study we aim to study a trans-translation inhibitor in Enterococcus faecium, a clinically important pathogen. Our in vitro assays demonstrate that this trans-translation inhibitor inhibits the growth of patient derived Enterococcus faecium strains, identifying it as a promising candidate for further drug development.