A study suggests a new antibiotic could have the potential to be the solution to drug-resistant infections or superbugs. In fact, this approach can save millions of people worldwide. Without doubt, the UK scientists never fail to bring new findings that shape the medical development and enhancement. Using the molecule teixobactin, researchers developed updated versions “synthetic classes” that kill bacteria without damaging mammal’s tissues.
University of Liverpool researchers found that these versions were able to kill nearly every type of microbe taken from human patients. Using the mouse as a model, they could also eradicate efficiently a highly resistant bacteria strain which is methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. In the upcoming days, patients with systemic, life-threatening resistant bacterial infections might recover with just one dose of teixobactin each day. Researchers are concerned that covid-19 could also be causing an increase in antimicrobial resistance, which means that the development of new antibiotics is vital when the ones at hand doesn’t work. To sum it up, teixobactin is the solution to drug-resistant infections, giving promise to millions of patients.
Teixobactin:
A peptide-like substance produced by some species of bacteria, teixobactin belongs to an altogether new class of antibiotics. Indeed, its main mechanism of action is to bind to lipid II and lipid III, precursor molecules for cell walls creation and thus kills bacteria. Researchers have shown that teixobactin is effective in killing representative strains of bacteria responsible for wound and invasive infections like S. Aureus, such as:
- MRSA
- Pneumonia causing bacteria (Streptococcus pneumonia)
- Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Easy storage:
Luckily, the new or synthetic versions has an advantage regarding temperature-controlled storage. In other words, room temperature storage is totally enough and there’s no need for cold storage chains. Hence, it’s way easier to distribute the new teixobactin globally.
Cost-effective:
Teixobactin drugs production can be on a very large scale and still not be expensive. As a matter of fact, the association of the University of Lincoln with the project leaders succeeded in cutting the expenses of the new molecule. Their method reduces materials costs more than 2,000 times by swapping some amino acids for cheaper ones within the teixobactin molecule.
Source: Independent “UK scientists’ breakthrough could save millions from drug-resistant infections”
