Christopher G. Bunick, MD, PhD, Receives 2023 Research Scholar Award

The American Acne and Rosacea Society (AARS) recently announced that Christopher G. Bunick, MD, PhD, a physician-scientist and associate professor of dermatology at the Yale School of Medicine in New Haven, Connecticut, has been awarded the 2023 Research Scholar Award.¹

Bunick and colleagues plan to use the award to investigate the fundamental mechanisms of action of more than 20 additional teracycline-class compounds to evaluate those that exhibit the greatest potential efficacy against the bacterium, Cutibacterium acnes (C. acnes). Tetracyclines comprise the majority of antibiotics used in dermatology, but finding the most effective is important because of the concern of antibiotic resistance.

"I am very grateful to the AARS for this award. My research lab will benefit immensely from this support. It will help us translate our structural biology discoveries on Cutibacterium acnes ribosomes into new therapeutic designs,” Bunick told Dermatology Times®. “We aim to tackle long-standing questions about species-specific antibiotic targeting, antibiotic resistance, and anti-inflammatory mechanisms of antibiotics. My lab is excited at this opportunity for new discovery and innovation."The research was inspired by Bunick and colleagues’ findings related to the molecular interaction of sarecycline with the C. acnes bacterium.

Christopher G. Bunick, MD, PhD, is the recipient of the 2023 Research Scholar Award.

The AARS Research Scholar Award is given annually to support research with the goal of improving care for patients with acne, rosacea, and hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). During the application and review process, the grant committee evaluates the feasibility of the study, its potential to expand the understanding of acne, rosacea, and HS, and related diseases, and the likely practical impact of research findings.

“We are pleased to be able to support Dr. Bunick’s research on novel tetracycline compounds that could be used to treat acne,” says Andrea Zaenglein, MD, president of the AARS in a news release. “Acne is a common disease that can have a significant impact on affected individuals. While oral antibiotics are an important tool in our treatment armamentarium, we take concerns for antibiotic resistance seriously and understand the role that dermatologists play in reducing the risks. The potential to target C. acnes more efficiently with reduced risk for resistance is certainly appealing.”

Updates on Bunick’s research will be available from the AARS.

Reference

1. American Acne and Rosacea Society announced 2023 Research Scholar Award recipient. News release. August 24, 2023.