Oligosaccharide conjugates for targeting bacteria and uses related thereto
This disclosure relates to conjugates for targeting bacteria and related uses. In certain embodiments, the disclosure relates to methods of transferring a molecule of interest into bacteria comprising mixing bacteria with a non-naturally occurring conjugate under conditions such that the conjugate is transported across the bacterial cell wall. Typically, the conjugate comprises an oligosaccharide and a molecule of interest. In certain embodiments, the molecule of interest may be a tracer or an antibiotic.
1. An imaging method for a bacterial infection comprising a) administering a tracer molecule comprising a radionuclide or fluorescent molecule conjugated to maltodextrin to a subject; and b) determining whether the subject has a bacterial infection by scanning the subject and detecting a positron emitting or single photon emitting radionuclide or fluorescent molecule with an emission wavelength between 400 nm and 1200 nm.
2. The imaging method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of creating an image highlighting the location of the tracer molecule conjugated to maltodextrin in the subject.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the tracer molecule comprises a radionuclide, wherein the radionuclide is a positron-emitting radionuclide.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the positron-emitting radionuclide is selected from carbon-11, nitrogen-13, oxygen-15, fluorine-18, rubidium-82, and strontium-82.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the tracer molecule is a fluorescent molecule.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the fluorescent molecule is a fluorescent dye.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the maltodextrin comprises 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 sugar oligomers.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the maltodextrin comprises greater than 2 glucose oligomers.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the tracer molecule comprises a positron-emitting radionuclide.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the tracer molecule conjugated to maltodextrin is
11. An imaging method for a bacterial infection comprising a) administering a tracer molecule comprising a radionuclide or fluorescent molecule conjugated to an oligosaccharide linked by an alpha 1, 4-covalent bond to a subject; and b) determining whether the subject has a bacterial infection by scanning the subject and detecting a positron emitting or single photon emitting radionuclide or fluorescent molecule with an emission wavelength between 400 nm and 1200 nm.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the tracer molecule comprises a radionuclide, wherein the radionuclide is a single photon emitting computed tomography radionuclide.