Background. The diffusion of multidrug resistant (MDR) bacteria has highlighted the need of new antibiotics, but, so far, progress in developing them has been slow. Cationic Antimicrobial Peptides (CAMPs) are the first line of defense of multicellular eukaryotics against microbial invasions. Even if the protein nature of CAMPs makes difficult their use as systemic antimicrobials they are ideally suited for direct delivery to airways and lung.

Hypothesis and objectives. The main aim of this project is to develop inhalable dry powders for lung-delivery of CAMPs and CAMP-releasing proteins (CAMP-RPs) carrying simple chemical modifications which improve their antimicrobial activity.