A new synthetic antibiotic developed by University of Liverpool researchers is demonstrated to be more effective than established drugs against “superbugs” such as MRSA, according to a new study.
The study showcases the potent activity of the antibiotic, teixobactin, against bacterial biofilms. Biofilms are clusters of bacteria that are attached to a surface and/or to each other, which are associated with serious chronic infections in humans.
Nearly 5 million people lose their lives due to antibiotic resistance-associated infections, and millions more live with poor quality of life due to treatment failures. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is increasing, and an AMR review commissioned by the UK Government has predicted that by 2050, an additional 10 million people will succumb to drug-resistant infections each year.
The development of new antibiotics, which can be used as a last resort when other drugs are ineffective, is a crucial area of study for healthcare researchers around the world.
This work builds on pioneering research by the University’s Dr. Ishwar Singh, an expert in antimicrobial drug discovery and development and medicinal chemistry. A team of researchers led by Dr. Singh developed simplified synthetic versions of the natural molecule teixobactin, which is used by producer bacteria to kill other bacteria in soil.
2024-01-03 10:00:04
Source from phys.org