Center for Anti-Infectives & Biotechnology (C.R.A.B.)
The Center for Research in Anti-Infectives and Biotechnology is an association of researchers within the Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Creighton University School of Medicine. The research focus of the Center is on many aspects of antimicrobial chemotherapy ranging from drug discovery to studying the molecular mechanisms of antibacterial resistance among bacteria, solving problems of detecting antibacterial resistance in the clinical laboratory, and evaluating new drugs and novel drug combinations to effectively treat resistant bacteria.
The members of Center include specialists in clinical microbiology, infectious diseases, molecular biology, and pharmacodynamcs. In addition to research endeavors, members of CRAB are active in the teaching of many courses within the schools of medicine, dentistry, and pharmacy/allied health. Courses taught include medical microbiology and immunology, antimicrobial agents and chemotherapy, and clinical aspects of molecular biology. The Center associates also teach a summer “minicourse” in antimicrobial agents and chemotherapy to pharmaceutical and industry professionals.
For more information about CRAB and our activities, please follow the links below:
Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy “Minicourse”
Determination of Antibiotic Resistance Mechanisms
Organisms may be submitted to C.R.A.B. for determination of resistance mechanisms. This is usually done for epidemiological or research purposes, or to resolve technical problems. Some examples of the types of investigations are listed below. If the investigation is one we have not done previously for a laboratory, it is advisable to contact in advance one of the individuals listed below for advice about the most appropriate test(s), expected turnaround time, cost, any additional phenotypic test results relevant to the request, and when and how to send the isolate(s).
Investigations are individually tailored to the needs of the referring laboratory and may include PCR, DNA sequencing, RNA transcription assays, isoelectric focusing (IEF), hydrolysis assays, β-lactamase inhibition assays, outer membrane protein analysis, and specific phenotypic tests.
Examples of investigations
KPC confirmation by phenotypic and/or PCR analysis. Sequence and IEF analysis upon request.
Detection/confirmation of other class A carbapenemases to phenotypic, family, or sequence level
Detection/confirmation of metallo-β-lactamases by phenotypic and/or PCR analysis. Sequence and IEF analysis upon request
Detection/confirmation of OXA carbapenemases by PCR and/or sequence analysis
Detection/confirmation of ESBLs by phenotypic, IEF, PCR and/or sequence analysis
Detection/confirmation of transmissible AmpC β-lactamases by phenotypic analysis, IEF, multiplex PCR and/or sequence analysis.
Detection of chromosomally-mediated fluoroquinolone resistance mechanisms by sequence analysis
Gene cloning
Contact information
Nancy D. Hanson phone 402-280-5837 email ndhanson@creighton.edu
Kenneth S. Thomson phone 402-280-4096 email kstaac@creighton.edu