New Antibiotic From Bacteria Found On African Ant Could Help Fight 'Superbugs'
- 7 years ago
Scientists hailing from the U.K.’s University of East Anglia and the John Innes Centre have learned that a newly discovered bacteria linked to Kenyan plant-ants is capable of taking down especially stubborn ‘superbugs.’
Antibiotics are effective against a large variety of harmful bacteria, but some, like MRSA and VRE have grown resistant to such treatments.
Scientists hailing from the U.K.’s University of East Anglia and the John Innes Centre have learned that a newly discovered bacteria linked to Kenyan plant-ants is capable of taking down those especially stubborn ‘superbugs.’
The precious material is produced as part of the mutually beneficial relationship between the ants and their home of choice.
Matt Hutchings, one of the researchers, explained, “Kenyan plant-ants live in symbiosis with thorny acacia trees. They live and breed in…hollowed out structures which the plant evolved to house them - and grow fungus in them for food. In return, they protect the plants from large herbivores including elephants, which won't eat plants covered in ants.”
Through extensive analysis of the fungus, the team discovered a previously unknown species of Streptomyces bacteria that showed particular promise.
The antibiotics developed from it were tested, “against clinical isolates of MRSA and…VRE,” and found to be, “very potent inhibitors of these organisms.”
Antibiotics are effective against a large variety of harmful bacteria, but some, like MRSA and VRE have grown resistant to such treatments.
Scientists hailing from the U.K.’s University of East Anglia and the John Innes Centre have learned that a newly discovered bacteria linked to Kenyan plant-ants is capable of taking down those especially stubborn ‘superbugs.’
The precious material is produced as part of the mutually beneficial relationship between the ants and their home of choice.
Matt Hutchings, one of the researchers, explained, “Kenyan plant-ants live in symbiosis with thorny acacia trees. They live and breed in…hollowed out structures which the plant evolved to house them - and grow fungus in them for food. In return, they protect the plants from large herbivores including elephants, which won't eat plants covered in ants.”
Through extensive analysis of the fungus, the team discovered a previously unknown species of Streptomyces bacteria that showed particular promise.
The antibiotics developed from it were tested, “against clinical isolates of MRSA and…VRE,” and found to be, “very potent inhibitors of these organisms.”