Australian scientists find way to treat antibiotic-resistant bacteria
Using X-ray crystallography, Australian scientists have mapped the molecular structure of a protein that protects superbugs from antibiotics.
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| Professor Alice Vrielink said the team's discovery could help treat superbugs - Photo: University of Western Australia |
Researchers from the University of Western Australia said in a statement on February 15 that their map will help develop new drugs for antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the future.
Research shows that the EPTA protein allows some strains of bacteria to become resistant to colistin, an antibiotic used when other treatments have failed.
"The protein provides bacteria with protection against the immune system and antibiotics," said Professor Alice Vrielink, who led the research team.
| The World Health Organization (WHO) says drug-resistant infections kill 700,000 people each year. Another study found that antibiotic resistance will cause an additional 10 million deaths a year by 2050 if nothing is done. |
The research comes after warnings that when antibiotics no longer kill bacteria it could be one of the biggest threats of the 21st century.
The BBC quoted Ms. Vrielink as saying that this new research could help create treatments to inhibit the protein that creates a protective layer for the above bacteria.
"We can simply think of this protein as a lock and it has a specific shape. If we know the 3-D shape, we can have an idea of what the key should look like," explains molecular biologist Vrielink.
The research, published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, was funded by the National Health Foundation and the Australian Medical Research Council, as well as by several other organisations and universities.
According to TTO
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