Bacteria Killer

Scientists from the University of British Columbia have identified a small molecule that stops the antibiotic–resistant bacteria from causing infections. The new molecule or peptide is effective on both the classes of bacteria, that is, Gram–positives and Gram–negatives. These two classes are separated according to the differences in their cell wall structures, which make them differently susceptible to antibiotics. 

However, at present, antibiotics are not effective against a number of bacteria as they are losing effectiveness to bacterial biofilms. These biofilms are highly structured communities of bacteria that lead to the two–thirds of all human infections. The new peptide named 1018 consists of only 12 amino acids (building blocks of protein) and is said to destroy the biofilms and act as a deterrent to their formation.

1018 was reported to be effective against several major antibiotic resistant pathogens including the Pseudomonas aeruginosa, E. coli and MRSA (Methicillin–Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus). The research stands as a significant advancement in the search for new agents that specifically target bacterial biofilms to prevent the decreasing efficiency of antibiotics.