Cole Winsor
Source: http://health.india.com/news/new-antibiotic-holds-promise-against-deadly-bacteria/
Author: not given
Date Published: March 8, 2014
Summary:
A team of researchers based out of the University of Notre Dame recently discovered a new class of antibiotics. This new class is called oxadiazoles. It was discovered by silico screening and so far has shown that it can treat methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus(MRSA) bacteria in mice. this is especially important during a time when any bacteria are becoming resistant to overly used antibiotics. the group screened over 1.2 million different compounds in search of new treatments for MRSA. they found that oxadiazole inhibits a penicillin binding protein, PBP2a, and the biosynthesis of a cell wall. these two components together allow MRSA to be resistant to many more common types of antibiotics. this new type of antibiotic can also be taken orally which adds to its marketability allowing it to be more commonly used. Currently there are only three antibiotics that work against MRSA and resistant strands have already begun to emerge in the bacterias gene pool. This new discovery could save thousands of lives worldwide.
Connection:
This article deals a lot with bacteria which we have learned a lot about. it talks about how methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus has become resistant to certain antibiotics, such as methicillin and penicillin, because of the overuse of these antibiotics on this bacteria has caused those that are resistant to multiply much quicker. The resistance of these antibiotics is probably spread among the population through conjugation. that is how this article connects to what we have learned about in class
Why is this discovery so amazing if we know that bacteria has the ability to become resistant to antibiotics like this one? Is this antibiotic going to be something that will be for around for the long term or short? If bacteria are able to create resistance to antibiotics in a relatively short amount of time, what is so special about this antibiotic that makes it different?
ReplyDeleteThis antibiotic really isn't that special when compared to other antibiotics. It is an important discovery because it is hard an takes a lot of work to find new antibiotics nowadays so even though bacteria will eventually become resistant to it, it can be used as a short term solution to solve the problem that so many antibiotics have resistant bacteria.
DeleteIn what ways could this new discovery be able to be implemented in the general public? Are there any significant challenges regarding availability, or price of the antibiotic, and wouldn't using the new antibiotic just stimulate even more resistant bacteria?
ReplyDelete