The award will fund research aimed at identifying novel antibiotic compounds for the treatment of acne. 

Christopher G. Bunick, MD, PhD, has received The American Acne and Rosacea Society’s (AARS) 2023 Research Scholar Award.  Dr. Bunick is an Associate Professor of Dermatology at Yale University School of Medicine and a member of the Practical Dermatology magazine editorial board.

The award will fund research aimed at identifying novel antibiotic compounds for the treatment of acne. 

Dr. Bunick and colleagues at the Bunick laboratory propose to elucidate fundamental mechanisms of action of tetracycline antibiotics with a goal to identify a highly selective agent for Cutibacterium acnes (C. acnes) that has higher efficacy and less risk of antibiotic resistance than currently used antibiotic therapies. Specifically, inspired by their findings related to the molecular interaction of sarecycline with the C. acnes bacterium, they will investigate the fundamental mechanisms of action of more than 20 additional tetracycline-class compounds to determine which show the greatest potential efficacy against the bacterium. 

The AARS Research Scholar Award is conferred on an annual basis to support research aimed at improving the care of patients with acne, rosacea, and hidradenitis suppurativa. Awards are conferred based on a rigorous application and review process, in which the grant committee assesses the feasibility of the study, its potential to expand understanding of acne, rosacea, hidradenitis suppurativa, 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.”