News Brief by Sam Kessel
Infectious, drug resistant
bacteria are causing a public health crisis. According to the CDC,
multi-drug resistant bacteria kill 23,000 Americans each year.
Genetically modified bacteria are being used to synthesize protein
products for use in agriculture, energy and medicine, including drugs
to treat diabetes and hemophilia. Bacteria have a huge influence on
our world as infectious agents and as tools for industry.
The researchers at the University of
Nottingham, United Kingdom, have found materials that can be used to
reduce the infectious capability of disease causing bacteria, and
improve the drug producing capabilities of genetically modified
bacteria. This research will change the way multidrug resistant
bacterial infections are treated. Instead of using antibiotics that
directly kill bacteria, the next generation of antimicrobials will
use materials made of long chains of molecules, called polymers, to
inhibit bacterial communication. There were two types of polymers
used in this study: the first, poly vinyl alcohol (PVA), impacted
bacterial communications; the second, a poly-methacrylamide, bound
bacteria into small clusters. The first polymer bound to bacterial
signaling molecules and interfered with bacteria's ability to
communicate with other bacteria, thus reducing their infectious
capability. The second polymer encapsulated bacteria into small
clusters. By placing the bacteria so closely together, cell-to-cell
signaling was enhanced and the amount of toxins produced by a
bacterium was increased.
While this second polymer may not be
useful as an anitbiotic, it could be used to increase the
productivity of genetically modified bacteria. Using a combination of
the two polymers, it may be possible to improve the yields of
beneficial bacterial products.
Ultimately, this research shows the
potential of using polymers to treat severe bacterial infections and
harness the power of genetically modified bacteria.
References:
Changing the Conversation: Polymers Disrupt Bacterial Communication. (2013, November 11). ScienceDaily. Retrieved November 20, 2013, from http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/11/131111091522.htm
Threat Report 2013. (2013, September 16). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved November 21, 2013, from http://www.cdc.gov/drugresistance/threat-report-2013/
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