CO-DIRECTOR
Ordway Research Institute

SENIOR SCIENTIST
Ordway Research Institute

CO-DIRECTOR
Center for Biodefense
and Emerging Infections,
Ordway Research Institute

CO-CHIEF
Bacterial and Fungal Emerging Infections and Pharmacodynamics Laboratory,
Ordway Research Institute

PROFESSOR
Albany Medical College

CONTACT
Emerging Infections and Pharmacodynamics Laboratory
Phone: (518) 641-6434
Fax: (518) 641-6304
gdrusano@ordwayresearch.org

George L. Drusano, M.D.

Research Focus

Dr. Drusano’s main interests are in the area of anti-infective drug effect. He and his team have performed investigations with drugs that affect bacteria, viruses, and fungi. The approach taken by the team is defined by both bench investigations as well as by clinical studies inspired by the bench investigations. In specific, the hollow fiber system allows the performance of Phase I/II clinical trials on the benchtop, allowing identification of the proper drug dose and schedule to achieve the desired endpoint.

The unique aspect to this team’s investigational approach is the combination of the bench data with clinical investigation, all of which is tied together through the use of mathematical modeling techniques. Use of molecular biology to define mechanisms of emergence of resistance in bacteria and mathematical modeling employing 5 parallel inhomogenous differential equations to identify a drug exposure to suppress resistance has been the latest innovation from this group. Other approaches have been the original application of Monte Carlo simulation techniques for target identification and use of stochastic optimal design theory, population pharmacokinetic modeling and MAP-Bayesian estimation to elucidate exposure-response relationships in clinical trials, creating a new paradigm for the design and execution of Phase II dose-finding trials.

Selected Publications (View)

• Drusano GL, W Liu, DL Brown, LB Rice, A Louie. Impact of Short Course Quinolone Therapy on Sensitive and Resistant Populations of Staphylococcus aureus.  J Infect Dis 2009;199:219-226.
• Lodise T, B Lomaestro, GL Drusano. Piperacillin/tazobactam for Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections: Clinical implications of an extended infusion dosing strategy. Clin Infect Dis. 2007;44:357-363.
• Drusano GL. Antimicrobial Pharmacodynamics: Critical Interactions of ‘Bug and Drug’. Nature Reviews: Microbiology. 2004; 4: 289-300.
• Drusano GL, SL Preston, C Fowler, M Corrado, B Weisinger, J Kahn. The relationship between fluoroquinolone AUC/MIC Ratio and the probability of eradication in patients with nosocomial pneumonia. J Infect Dis. 2004;189:1590-1597.
• Jumbe N, A Louie, R Leary, W Liu, MR Deziel, VH Tam, R Bachhawat, C Freeman, JB Kahn, K Bush, M N Dudley, MH Miller, GL Drusano. Application of a mathematical model to prevent in-vivo amplification of antibiotic-resistant bacterial populations during therapy. Journal of Clinical Investigation 2003; 112: 275-285.
• Drusano GL, SL Preston, C Hardalo, R Hare, C Banfield, O Vesga, D Andes and WA Craig. Use of preclinical data for the choice of a Phase II/III dose for evernimicin with application to decision support for identification of a preclinical MIC breakpoint. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2001;45:13-22.