New Antibiotic Discovered

Mercutio · 17th May 2006, 12:08 PM

Quote:

The Merck researchers addressed both problems with a clever genetic trick that made an existing drug-hunting process more effective and also targeted novel types of antibiotics.

Their innovation was to test extracts of fungi, plants and other natural substances against bacteria with a genetically engineered Achilles’ heel. Because the bacteria were weakened, any compound that harmed them would have a more dramatic effect and thus be easier to identify.

The Merck scientists also chose the genetic handicap carefully, placing it in a metabolic pathway that is not attacked by any major existing antibiotics. That increased the likelihood that any promising compound they discovered would be something for which the bacteria had not yet developed a resistance.

I like that, at the end of the article, they remind us that even if this turns out to be clinically useful, in the long run bacteria will evolve that are resistant to this one too.

Nobody · 17th May 2006, 01:04 PM

Admittedly the research is impressive but the concepts behind it aren't too unique or new, interestingly most antibiotics used nowadays are substances derived from soil samples or are derivatives of such chemicals, for instance Streptomycin is obtained from soil bacteria which have been found in several locations, the early Tetracyclines were products of a related soil bacterium which is found in cemeteries and allotments and causes 'russet scab', a disease of potatoes found in certain areas of North America and Europe. Chloramphenicol was first discovered in a soil sample from Venezuela. Erythromycin and Vancomycin were isolated from soil bacteria in South-East Asia. The only major exceptions to this rule are Penicillin which is produced by a bread mould and Cephalosporins which were first identified in an Italian sewer. Bacteriologists have been trying to pin point new targets in the bacterial cell for years albeit with not much success to date although advances in genetics may change this. Scientists are now investigating possible alternatives to antibiotics such as nanotechnology, bacteriophage therapy, vaccines, probiotics and substances from herbs which either kill bacteria themselves or augment the effect of traditional drugs. Another potential focus might be drugs that effect many different mechanisms in bacteria hence reducing the potential of selecting for resistance when they are used.

DevilsAdvocate · 17th May 2006, 10:36 PM

Originally Posted by Nobody

Admittedly the research is impressive but the concepts behind it aren't too unique or new

I'm not at all familiar with the subject. You said this is not unique or new. Have other researchers tested substances against weakened bacteria to get exagerated results and isolate resistance?

a_unique_person · 18th May 2006, 06:56 AM

Have you heard about the Wallabies? They are marsupials, and carry immature infants in their pouches that don't have an immune system yet. The milk contains a powerful antibiotic to help them through this stage of life.

http://www.smh.com.au/news/National/...730796727.html

Quote:

Scientists have discovered a bacteria-fighting compound 100 times more effective than penicillin - in wallaby milk.
Researchers found the highly-potent compound, tagged AGG01, was active against a wide variety of fungi and bacteria including antibiotic-resistant superbugs.
Research team leader Dr Ben Cocks said the discovery could have a profound impact on both human and animal health.
"This compound has the potential to be commercially synthesised and may prove vital in the war against increasingly resistant human and animal diseases," Dr Cocks said.
He said researchers from the Victorian government's Department of Primary Industries made the discovery while investigating the chemical properties of Tammar wallabies' breast milk to determine how their immune-deficient newborns built up resistance to bacteria while in the pouch.

Deetee · 18th May 2006, 01:09 PM

Originally Posted by a_unique_person

Have you heard about the Wallabies? They are marsupials, and carry immature infants in their pouches that don't have an immune system yet. The milk contains a powerful antibiotic to help them through this stage of life.

As an African, I favour crocodile blood to wallaby milk.

17th May 2006, 12:08 PM	#1
Mercutio Shakespeare's Sock Puppet Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Live Free Or Die Posts: 16,140	New Antibiotic Discovered Potentially a very valuable one. Quote: The Merck researchers addressed both problems with a clever genetic trick that made an existing drug-hunting process more effective and also targeted novel types of antibiotics. Their innovation was to test extracts of fungi, plants and other natural substances against bacteria with a genetically engineered Achilles’ heel. Because the bacteria were weakened, any compound that harmed them would have a more dramatic effect and thus be easier to identify. The Merck scientists also chose the genetic handicap carefully, placing it in a metabolic pathway that is not attacked by any major existing antibiotics. That increased the likelihood that any promising compound they discovered would be something for which the bacteria had not yet developed a resistance. I like that, at the end of the article, they remind us that even if this turns out to be clinically useful, in the long run bacteria will evolve that are resistant to this one too.
	__________________ "But to see her was to love her Love but her, and love forever."

17th May 2006, 01:04 PM	#2
Nobody New Blood Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 19	Admittedly the research is impressive but the concepts behind it aren't too unique or new, interestingly most antibiotics used nowadays are substances derived from soil samples or are derivatives of such chemicals, for instance Streptomycin is obtained from soil bacteria which have been found in several locations, the early Tetracyclines were products of a related soil bacterium which is found in cemeteries and allotments and causes 'russet scab', a disease of potatoes found in certain areas of North America and Europe. Chloramphenicol was first discovered in a soil sample from Venezuela. Erythromycin and Vancomycin were isolated from soil bacteria in South-East Asia. The only major exceptions to this rule are Penicillin which is produced by a bread mould and Cephalosporins which were first identified in an Italian sewer. Bacteriologists have been trying to pin point new targets in the bacterial cell for years albeit with not much success to date although advances in genetics may change this. Scientists are now investigating possible alternatives to antibiotics such as nanotechnology, bacteriophage therapy, vaccines, probiotics and substances from herbs which either kill bacteria themselves or augment the effect of traditional drugs. Another potential focus might be drugs that effect many different mechanisms in bacteria hence reducing the potential of selecting for resistance when they are used.
Nobody New Blood Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 19

17th May 2006, 10:36 PM	#3
DevilsAdvocate Muse Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 966	Originally Posted by Nobody Admittedly the research is impressive but the concepts behind it aren't too unique or new I'm not at all familiar with the subject. You said this is not unique or new. Have other researchers tested substances against weakened bacteria to get exagerated results and isolate resistance?
DevilsAdvocate Muse Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 966	__________________ I slept with Faith and found a corpse in my arms on awakening; I drank and danced all night with Doubt, and found her a virgin in the morning. -Aleister Crowley

18th May 2006, 06:56 AM	#4
a_unique_person Director of Hatcheries and Conditioning Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Sitting in the ghostly glow of an LCD screen Posts: 26,944	Have you heard about the Wallabies? They are marsupials, and carry immature infants in their pouches that don't have an immune system yet. The milk contains a powerful antibiotic to help them through this stage of life. http://www.smh.com.au/news/National/...730796727.html Quote: Scientists have discovered a bacteria-fighting compound 100 times more effective than penicillin - in wallaby milk. Researchers found the highly-potent compound, tagged AGG01, was active against a wide variety of fungi and bacteria including antibiotic-resistant superbugs. Research team leader Dr Ben Cocks said the discovery could have a profound impact on both human and animal health. "This compound has the potential to be commercially synthesised and may prove vital in the war against increasingly resistant human and animal diseases," Dr Cocks said. He said researchers from the Victorian government's Department of Primary Industries made the discovery while investigating the chemical properties of Tammar wallabies' breast milk to determine how their immune-deficient newborns built up resistance to bacteria while in the pouch.
	__________________ "I contend that we are both atheists. I just believe in one fewer god than you do. When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods, you will understand why I dismiss yours." SH Roberts " Tell people something they know already and they will thank you for it. Tell them something new and they will hate you for it." Monbiot "I am not the fine man you take me for"

18th May 2006, 01:09 PM	#5
Deetee Illuminator Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 3,386	Originally Posted by a_unique_person Have you heard about the Wallabies? They are marsupials, and carry immature infants in their pouches that don't have an immune system yet. The milk contains a powerful antibiotic to help them through this stage of life. As an African, I favour crocodile blood to wallaby milk.
Deetee Illuminator Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 3,386	__________________ "Reci bobu bob a popu pop." - Tanja "Everything is physics. This does not mean that physics is everything." - Cuddles "The entire practice of homeopathy can be substituted with the advice to "take two aspirins and call me in the morning." - Linda "Homeopathy: I never knew there was so little in it." - BSM