Health and Me

Ishita Roy

Scientists Discover A Potential Game Changer in Fighting Drug-Resistant Bacteria

Antibiotic resistance can be beaten by a new discovery made by scientists

In other news and among the many new developments, researchers have made yet another groundbreaking discovery in the fight against drug-resistant bacteria. A new antibiotic molecule has been discovered, which effectively targets a broad range of disease-causing bacteria, including strains which were resistant to commercial drugs. Most importantly, the molecule is non-toxic to human cells. This breakthrough represents an immense step in stepping forward to address the growing threat of <span>antimicrobial resistance</span>.

Many of us would be surprised to know that the antibiotic was actually found in soil samples collected from a laboratory technician's garden. The discovery really underscores the idea that nature still holds a lot of secrets, which are just waiting to be discovered, explored, and studied. The study on this discovery has been published in Nature journal, titled: A broad-spectrum lasso peptide antibiotic targeting the bacterial ribosome.

Microbiologist at Northeastern University, Kim Lewin puts its, “There is terrifically interesting stuff hiding in plain sight.” The ability to identify and analyze such hidden compounds is a testament to the researchers' expertise and keen observational skills.

Unlike the other existing antibiotics, where bacteria are increasingly becoming resistant to , this new molecule targets the bacteria's ribosome. This is the protein-making factory of the cell. This approach is specifically effective because bacterial ribosomes do not easily develop resistance to drugs and target their structure. Consequently, this antibiotic thus has the potential to remain effective for a longer period, even as bacteria evolve.

There was an urgent need for new antibiotics, because as Gerry Wright, a chemical biologist at McMaster University in Canada and the co-author of the study says, "The antibiotic-resistance crisis is an existential threat to medicine."

The search for new antibiotics was thus critical as bacterial resistance to existing drugs continues to rise. The study notes that in 2021 alone, antimicrobial resistance was associated with 1.1 million deaths worldwide. Expert predict that this number could rise to 1.9 million by 2050 if new treatment options are not developed.

<h4>Soil And Antibiotic Development: What Role Does It Play?</h4>

Nature has long been a source of antibiotics. Many of the antibiotics in use today, including penicillin and streptomycin, originated from soil bacteria and fungi. Inspired by this, Wright and his colleagues set out to find microbes capable of producing new, previously unknown antibiotic compounds.

The researchers collected soil samples and stored them in Petri dishes with a growth medium for a year. They then tested the microbes against Escherichia coli (E. coli), a common gut bacterium known for causing serious infections. One sample showed strong antibacterial activity, and further analysis revealed that the responsible bacterium belonged to the genus Paenibacillus.

Also, through genome sequencing and structural analysis, research have also found that this bacterium produces a molecule that belongs to a group of peptides known for their robust, lasso-shaped structures. These are stable peptides and can survive even after being digested. This is what makes them an excellent candidate for future antibiotic development.

"It’s a nice, really compact, and incredibly robust structure,” says Wright, emphasizing the potential durability and effectiveness of the newly discovered molecule.

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In other news and among the many new developments, researchers have made yet another groundbreaking discovery in the fight against drug-resistant bacteria. A new antibiotic molecule has been discovered, which effectively targets a broad range of disease-causing bacteria, including strains which were resistant to commercial drugs. Most importantly, the molecule is non-toxic to human cells. This breakthrough represents an immense step in stepping forward to address the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance.How Was It Found?Many of us would be surprised to know that the antibiotic was actually found in soil samples collected from a laboratory technician's garden. The discovery really underscores the idea that nature still holds a lot of secrets, which are just waiting to be discovered, explored, and studied. The study on this discovery has been published in Nature journal, titled: A broad-spectrum lasso peptide antibiotic targeting the bacterial ribosome.Microbiologist at Northeastern University, Kim Lewin puts its, “There is terrifically interesting stuff hiding in plain sight.” The ability to identify and analyze such hidden compounds is a testament to the researchers' expertise and keen observational skills.How the New Molecule WorksUnlike the other existing antibiotics, where bacteria are increasingly becoming resistant to , this new molecule targets the bacteria's ribosome. This is the protein-making factory of the cell. This approach is specifically effective because bacterial ribosomes do not easily develop resistance to drugs and target their structure. Consequently, this antibiotic thus has the potential to remain effective for a longer period, even as bacteria evolve.There was an urgent need for new antibiotics, because as Gerry Wright, a chemical biologist at McMaster University in Canada and the co-author of the study says, "The antibiotic-resistance crisis is an existential threat to medicine."The search for new antibiotics was thus critical as bacterial resistance to existing drugs continues to rise. The study notes that in 2021 alone, antimicrobial resistance was associated with 1.1 million deaths worldwide. Expert predict that this number could rise to 1.9 million by 2050 if new treatment options are not developed.Soil And Antibiotic Development: What Role Does It Play?Nature has long been a source of antibiotics. Many of the antibiotics in use today, including penicillin and streptomycin, originated from soil bacteria and fungi. Inspired by this, Wright and his colleagues set out to find microbes capable of producing new, previously unknown antibiotic compounds.The researchers collected soil samples and stored them in Petri dishes with a growth medium for a year. They then tested the microbes against Escherichia coli (E. coli), a common gut bacterium known for causing serious infections. One sample showed strong antibacterial activity, and further analysis revealed that the responsible bacterium belonged to the genus Paenibacillus.Also, through genome sequencing and structural analysis, research have also found that this bacterium produces a molecule that belongs to a group of peptides known for their robust, lasso-shaped structures. These are stable peptides and can survive even after being digested. This is what makes them an excellent candidate for future antibiotic development."It’s a nice, really compact, and incredibly robust structure,” says Wright, emphasizing the potential durability and effectiveness of the newly discovered molecule.