Researchers have discovered the Achilles' heel of the unbeatable problem: a new alternative to antibiotics has been revealed.

Drug-resistant bacteria claim an increasing number of lives each year, pushing scientists to seek solutions to this pressing issue. Recently, researchers have turned the unique characteristics of these organisms against themselves, developing a drug-free treatment method.

https://focus.ua/technologies/679054-nashli-ahillesovu-pyatu-nepobedimoy-problemy-uchenye-rasskazali-o-novoy-alternative-antibiotikam2024-11-18 07:46:24

Recent studies by scientists indicate a growing global health crisis: antibiotic-resistant infections, which already account for over 1 million deaths annually, are projected to claim nearly 2 million lives each year by 2050. The alarming rise in such resistant infections has prompted researchers to search for alternative ways to combat bacterial threats, as reported by ScienceDaily.

A promising discovery made by scientists from the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) revealed a key vulnerability in certain antibiotic-resistant bacteria that can be exploited without the use of traditional medications. The study, conducted in collaboration with Arizona State University and Pompeu Fabra University and published in the journal Science Advances, examined the bacterium Bacillus subtilis.

Despite their resistance capabilities, mutant strains of this bacterium are competing to dominate bacterial populations. This paradox intrigued researchers and led to the discovery of a significant vulnerability related to antibiotic resistance. Specifically, resistant strains face intense competition for magnesium ions, which are essential for stabilizing ribosomes and fueling cellular processes with ATP.

This competition creates a biological tug-of-war, significantly impairing the growth of mutants compared to non-resistant strains. Professor Gyürol Süel from the UCSD School of Biological Sciences, who is one of the study's authors, referred to this limitation as the "Achilles' heel" of resistant bacteria. By leveraging this vulnerability, researchers propose strategies such as magnesium chelation to selectively suppress resistant strains while sparing beneficial ones.

This non-drug approach could become a crucial tool in the fight against antibiotic resistance, reducing the ecological and medical repercussions of widespread antibiotic use. Simultaneously, Süel and his colleagues from the University of Chicago developed a bioelectronic device that harnesses the natural electrical activity of bacteria to combat resistant strains. This innovation, effective against Staphylococcus epidermidis, serves as an example of effective non-drug intervention, the authors note.

Süel emphasizes the relevance of these solutions, considering the depletion of effective antibiotics and their pervasive presence in the environment. This significant discovery aligns with the urgent need for sustainable approaches to combat bacteria, especially as their resistance increasingly undermines traditional treatment methods. Such advancements not only promise to mitigate the deadly crisis looming over humanity but also highlight the importance of interdisciplinary research in addressing global health challenges.

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