Researchers at Texas A&M University have made significant progress in the fight against antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The team, led by Dr. Quentin Michaudel, has developed a new family of polymers that can kill bacteria without inducing antibiotic resistance. The research, which was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, could play a crucial role in combating the rapidly growing threat posed by antibiotic-resistant infections.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, antibiotic-resistant bacteria are responsible for over 2.8 million infections each year. Without effective antibiotics, common injuries and infections have the potential to become fatal. Therefore, finding new ways to combat antibiotic resistance is of utmost importance.
The team at Texas A&M University synthesized the new polymer by designing a positively charged molecule that can be stitched together multiple times to form a larger molecule. This repeating charged motif is then assembled using a catalyst called AquaMet, which is tolerant to high concentrations of charges and is water-soluble.
To test the effectiveness of the polymers, the researchers subjected them to two main types of antibiotic-resistant bacteria: E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The results of these tests are pending. Additionally, the researchers also evaluated the toxicity of the polymers against human red blood cells.
One challenge faced by antibacterial polymers is the lack of selectivity between bacteria and human cells when targeting the cellular membrane. Dr. Michaudel emphasizes the need to strike the right balance between inhibiting bacterial growth and killing different types of cells indiscriminately.
The success of this research is attributed to the multidisciplinary approach and the collaboration between researchers at Texas A&M University and the University of Massachusetts Amherst. The team received assistance from various groups, including the Letteri Lab at the University of Virginia, which helped determine the length of the polymers.
Moving forward, the team plans to focus on enhancing the activity of the polymers against bacteria and improving their selectivity for bacterial cells over human cells. This will involve synthesizing different analogs to achieve these goals. However, before moving on to in vivo assays, further research is needed.
The research paper features Dr. Sarah Hancock, a chemistry Ph.D. graduate from Texas A&M University, as the first author. Other key contributors include An Tran, a chemistry graduate student, Dr. Arunava Maity, a postdoctoral scholar, and Dr. Nattawut Yuntawattana, a former postdoctoral scholar who is now an assistant professor at Kasetsart University in Thailand.
Overall, the development of this new family of polymers marks a significant step forward in the battle against antibiotic-resistant bacteria. By disrupting the bacterial membrane, these polymers offer a potential solution that bacteria do not seem to develop resistance against. With further research and refinement, they could play a vital role in safeguarding public health against antibiotic-resistant infections.
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1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
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