How Bacteria are Evolving to Survive Longer in the Presence of Ribosome-Binding Antibiotics
Scientists have discovered a new way in which bacteria can survive long-term antibiotic treatment. In a recent study, researchers found that some bacteria can survive antibiotic treatment by binding to their ribosomes, a key component of protein production. This finding could lead to better treatments for bacterial infections, as the bacteria are more resistant to antibiotics.
The study, published in the journal Nature, was conducted by scientists from the University of Pennsylvania and the University of California, Davis. They studied the bacteria Escherichia coli, which is commonly found in the human intestine. The scientists found that when E. coli was exposed to antibiotics, some of the bacteria survived by binding to their ribosomes. This allowed the bacteria to not only survive the antibiotic treatment but also to become resistant to it.
The team’s findings suggest that ribosome-binding antibiotics could be a new way to target bacteria that have become resistant to traditional antibiotics. By targeting the ribosomes, the antibiotics could be effective against bacteria that have already developed resistance. This could help fight infections that are difficult to treat with existing antibiotics.
source: Phys.org