Scientists at Queen’s University Belfast have made a breakthrough in the fight against the most resistant hospital superbugs.

Scanning Electron Micrograph of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The team from the School of Pharmacy at Queen’s have developed the first innovative antibacterial gel that acts to kill Pseudomonas aeruginosa, staphylococci and E.coli using natural proteins.

The gels have the ability to break down the thick jelly-like coating, known as biofilms, which cover bacteria making them highly resistant to current therapies, while leaving healthy cells unaffected. Dr Garry Laverty, from the School of Pharmacy at Queen’s University, and lead researcher, said: “When bacteria attach to surfaces, including medical implants such as hip replacements and catheters, they produce a jelly-like substance called the biofilm. This protective layer is almost impossible for current antibiotics to penetrate through. Therefore bacteria deep within this protective layer are resistant as they remain unexposed to the therapy. They grow and thrive on surfaces to cause infections that are very difficult to treat.

The only option is often to remove the medical implant leading to further pain and discomfort for the patient. Our gels would prevent this. “Our gels are unique as they target and kill the most resistant forms of hospital superbugs.

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