A team of researchers from Aarhus University, University of Copenhagen, and ETH Z
ürich have discovered how exactly bacteria are able to cope with antibiotics and attempt to survive them. When bacteria are exposed to antibiotics, they will enter a state of reduced cell division. This enables them to maintain the highest possible tolerance of the antibiotics. Basically, bacteria save up energy by way of an enzyme within them. This enzyme saves energy by forming "constituents of cellular DNA". These constituents are then used so that the cell may rapidly grow and divide once the antibiotic is no longer detected. Bacteria release a stress molecule named (p)ppGpp; once a molecule comes in contact with the antibiotics, the enzyme becomes more active.
If what these scientists have discovered is true, this is a huge breakthrough it seems in the world of antibiotics. We may now have a new technique in fighting bacteria. We may be able to counteract this microbial resistance by creating antibiotics that, on top of trying to kill the bacterial cell, can also destroy this (p)ppGpp molecule or the enzyme it that forms these DNA constituents.
If these scientists did discover this then, you are right, it would allow us to find an antibiotic to help fight off this bacteria. If the discovery does lead to a breakthrough in better and stronger antibiotics, I also believe that they can discover something to destroy the enzyme listed above.
ReplyDeleteThat in itself could save billions of lives. At the rate at which bacteria is evolving to be able to withstand antibiotics. This may just be what people have needed to win the fight. At least until the bacteria evolve again. Like an evolutionary war of sorts, an arms race.
ReplyDeleteThe affects of something like this could be astonishing. Millions of lives could be saved all around the world.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading your post! I find it really interesting yet scary that bacteria are able to adapt to such harsh conditions
ReplyDelete