Bulman Lab
Introduction
Dr. Bulman is an Associate Professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice at the University of Illinois Chicago and runs the Precision Antimicrobial Laboratory. His group aims to devise novel therapeutic approaches that are capable of successfully treating infectious diseases while also suppressing the amplification of new resistance mechanisms. His laboratory is developing cutting-edge pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic treatment approaches for antibiotics to help combat multidrug-resistant bacteria. Implementing clinical pharmacokinetic data from patients, Dr. Bulman’s lab simulates the human exposures of antimicrobials in the laboratory to evaluate their pharmacodynamic effects.
Ongoing work aims to repurpose and revitalize older antibiotics for bacteria with emerging resistance mechanisms in preparation for continued clinical outbreaks of carbapenem-resistant Gram-negatives. Dr. Bulman is currently leading a project that is exploring combinations between aminoglycosides and β-lactam/β-lactamase inhibitors for these highly resistant pathogens (2022-2027, R01AI173064). The Precision Antimicrobial Laboratory also seeks to develop models that can predict phenotypic resistance based on bacterial genotype. Dr. Bulman is also interested in optimizing treatment of biofilms and the use of inhaled antibiotics for patients with pneumonia.
Lab Highlights
Recent updates from the Bulman Lab.
Dr. Tan Leads Publication of Novel PK/PD Biofilm Model
Dr. Xing Tan, an Infectious Diseases Pharmacy Fellow, helped the Bulman Lab develop a novel PK/PD biofilm model, which was published in NPJ Biofilms and Microbiomes, a nature journal. The optimized in vitro air-liquid interface pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic biofilm model may be beneficial for the development of novel anti-biofilm agents or to optimize antibiotic dosing for infections such as ventilator associated bacterial pneumonia. It also helps show the benefits of using inhaled antibiotics against bacterial biofilms, which may be present in the lungs. The article can be read here.
Dr. Bulman Leads Team to Highlight Key PK/PD Research Priorities
Dr. Bulman, in collaboration with leaders from 3 international infectious disease societies, led the development of a personal view article published in Lancet Microbe that sought to emphasize several key research priorities in antibiotic PK/PD. Although progress has been made in our quest to optimize the treatment of infections, additional research will be required to fully realize the potential of precision antibiotic therapy and its ability to improve patient outcomes. The article was also featured on ContagionLive.
Dr. Bulman Receives $3.66M R01- Among Largest R01's in the History of the UIC College of Pharmacy
Dr. Zackery Bulman recently received a $3.66 million, 5-year R01 grant as PI for his project titled, “Precise Combination Strategies Targeting Carbapenem-Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae” (R01AI173064). This R01 is the largest R01 in the history of the UIC College of Pharmacy (based on NIH Reporter data). This project will develop new antibiotic combination treatment approaches for drug-resistant superbugs, which can cause serious infections associated with high mortality rates.