Dr. John D Buynak's lab focuses on developing new antibiotics to fight mycobacterial infections, particularly those caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis and non-tuberculous mycobacteria. The lab aims to create effective carbapenem antibiotics that can overcome the resistance commonly displayed by these pathogens. By modifying the chemical structure of existing antibiotics, they seek to enhance their potency and make them suitable for oral administration, which is crucial for improving treatment outcomes.