Beta-lactamases are enzymes produced by some bacteria that provide resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics like penicillins, cephamycins, and carbapenems(ertapenem), although carbapenems are relatively resistant to beta-lactamase. Beta-lactamase provides antibiotic resistance by breaking the antibiotics' structure. These antibiotics all have a common element in their molecular structure: a four-atom ring known as a beta-lactam. Through hydrolysis, the lactamase enzyme breaks the β-lactam ring open, deactivating the molecule's antibacterial properties.

This program aims to study the catalytic mechanism and resistance mutations of CTX-M Class A beta-lactamases, and to develop broad-spectrum inhibitors against these and other serine beta-lactamases.