This article discusses the discovery of a vampire-like bacteria and how it can possibly serve as a living antibiotic. The bacterium, Micavibrio aeruginosavorus, makes its living by seeking out prey and then attaching itself to its victim's cell wall and sucking out nutrients which kills the prey. M. aeruginosavorus can only survive and propagate by drawing its nutrition from specific prey bacteria. Scientists believe that because this bacteria specifically targets certain pathogens it could be used as a living antibiotic potentially reducing the dependence on traditional antibiotics and help the drug-resistance problem that is occurring. Scientist also believe with further research on this bacteria it could be eventually used as a bacteria that will aggressively hunt for and attack certain other bacteria that are extremely harmful to humans.
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