Molecule Which Prevents Anti-Resistant Bacteria From Forming

Molecule Which Prevents Anti-Resistant Bacteria From Forming

Scientists have identified a small molecule to prevent bacteria from forming into biofilms. When bacteria forms into biofilms, this causes infections. Scientists from the University of British Columbia have discovered an anti-biofilm peptide works on a wide range of bacteria including those that are resistant to antibiotics.

Antibiotic-resistant organisms are a major health hazard currently. According to Bob Hancock, a professor in the University's Department of Microbiology and Immunology, the lead author of this study, there is an entire range of antibiotics that are gradually losing effectiveness.

Many bacteria grown in the human tissues surfaces such as skin, lungs and heart by forming biofilms that are responsible for over 75% of human infections. Biofilms are highly structured communities of bacteria that can lead to numerous human infections.

At present, there are no approved treatments for biofilm inections. Bacteria in biofilms are more resistant to standard antibiotics. Hancock and his fellow colleagues have discovered a peptide known as 1018 which has just 12 amino acids. These are the building blocks of protein and they destroy biofilms and prevent them from forming.

Bacteria can be divided into two classes namely gram-positives and gram-negatives. The different in their cell wall structure is the reason why they are eliminated by different types of antibiotics. The peptide 1018 worked on both types of bacteria along with major antibiotic-resistant pathogen such as E coli and MRSA.

Antibiotics are one of the most useful and effective medicines on earth. Lack of effective antibiotics can propel us back to the dark ages as far as medicine practice is concerned. Without effective antibiotics, everything from surgeries to chemotherapy treatments, transplants and even minor injuries will become a massive problem.

Scientists are currently on the lookout for significant advances in research for new agents to target bacterial biofilms. The global fight against antibiotic-resistant bacteria has intensified following WHO reports that several antibiotic-resistant diseases have developed in recent times. Canadian scientists are now on the lookout for a solution to this massive health problem. Their strategy has led to significant advances in the search for new agents to target bacterial biofilms.

Bacteria in biofilms are more resistant to standard antibiotics. They are densely packed communities of microbial cells found in surfaces. Many bacterial species form biolfims and they are complex and diverse. Researchers have postulated the idea that the structural and physiological complexity of biofilms indicates they are coordinated and cooperative groups. Biofilm bacteria have even been compared to multicellular organisms.

The life cycle of the biofilm is in 3 steps namely attachment, growth of colonies or development and periodic detachment of planktonic cells. The biofilm which develops allows for the cells inside to become resistant to natural antimicrobials and antibiotics. Depending on the type of antimicrobial and experimental system, biofilm bacteria is up to 1000 times more resistant to antimicrobial stress as compared to other bacteria of the same species.