In silico study of antimicrobial cyclic peptides Sequence analysis, molecular modelling and multi-scale molecular dynamics

The selection and use of antimicrobial cyclic peptides is an active way of research. These peptides are naturally produced by several microorganisms et libraries of biosynthetic peptides are actually build to find new antibiotics candidats. However, the mecanism of action of these peptides is not well known and it exists several hypothesis for their interactions with membrane. These peptides are causing broad perturbations to lipidic membranes and it has been shown that they can form disordered toroidal pores or self assemble as amphipathic nanotubes leading to lipid extrusion. Through the analysis of several peptides from the libraries of Pr Soumillion with increasing activity it will be possible to study the relation between the sequence/structure and the membrane activity of these peptides. This will help to decipher between preferential modes of action and the parameters important for the activity.