McMaster University researchers are making major inroads in the battle against so-called superbugs and laying the groundwork for highly effective antibiotics of the future, a scientific journal says.
An article in the current issue of Nature Biotechnology outlines a new approach to isolating naturally-occurring antibiotics in soil bacteria that could produce new drugs that are effective on antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
It’s well known bacteria in soils and soil fungi produce antibiotics. But the problem has been going through millions of strains to find ones that are effective against new superbugs and worth pursuing commercially. Most antibiotics were discovered in the 1940s and ’50s when bacteria and fungi that grow in nature were screened. Penicillin was discovered this way.
“It’s like trying to find a needle in a haystack,” says Gerry Wright, professor and scientific director of the Michael G. DeGroote Institute for Infectious Disease Research.
The new process essentially involves applying commercially available antibiotics to soil samples in Petri dishes. That kills off most of the bacteria, and the researchers focus their attention on the naturally-occurring antibiotics associated with the bacteria that remains. This enables researchers to screen for new drugs 10,000 times more effectively.
“It’s like back to the future. Soil bacteria and soil fungi are where we found them to begin with and we drifted away from that source,” said Wright.
Go deeper with Bing News on:
Superbug research
- Synthetic Antibiotics Could Improve Treatment of “Superbugs”
Technology Networks spoke to Dr. Ishwar Singh to learn more about the challenges of drug-resistant infections, the discovery of teixobactin and the benefits of synthetic antibodies.
- Orangutan treats facial wound with medicinal plant
A male Sumatran orangutan treated a facial wound with a climbing plant known to have anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties, researchers say in the journal Scientific Reports . The orangutan, ...
- Hospital toilets are contaminated with drug resistant 'superbugs'
New study finds high microbial contamination in UK hospital toilets, highlighting need for better cleaning and design changes.
- 'Superbugs' found on floors, ceilings and door handle of hospital toilets
The research also highlighted stark gender differences in bathroom hygiene. Women's bathrooms contained fewer microbes than men's.
- Gender-neutral lavatories ‘have more germs than single-sex ones’
Gender-neutral lavatories carry the most germs, research suggests. The UK study examined the bacteria – including multi-drug resistant superbugs – in a wealth of hospital settings. Lavatories for ...
Go deeper with Google Headlines on:
Superbug research
[google_news title=”” keyword=”Superbug research” num_posts=”5″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
Go deeper with Bing News on:
Superbugs
- Synthetic Antibiotics Could Improve Treatment of “Superbugs”
Technology Networks spoke to Dr. Ishwar Singh to learn more about the challenges of drug-resistant infections, the discovery of teixobactin and the benefits of synthetic antibodies.
- Scientifically Speaking | The hidden pandemic that could eclipse Covid-19
Antibiotic-resistant superbugs pose a growing threat. This looming crisis demands urgent global attention and innovative solutions.
- Hospital toilets are contaminated with drug resistant 'superbugs'
New study finds high microbial contamination in UK hospital toilets, highlighting need for better cleaning and design changes.
- 'Superbugs' found on floors, ceilings and door handle of hospital toilets
The research also highlighted stark gender differences in bathroom hygiene. Women's bathrooms contained fewer microbes than men's.
- Could Our Deep Cleaning Habits Be Contributing To Superbugs?
Superbugs are strains of bacteria which are resistant to common antibiotics and they are responsible for about 5,000 deaths each year.
Go deeper with Google Headlines on:
Superbugs
[google_news title=”” keyword=”superbugs” num_posts=”5″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
