Superbug attack win
August 20, 2014
SCIENTISTS at the School of
Pharmacy at Queen’s University in
Belfast have developed what they
are calling the first antibacterial
gel that acts to kill pseudomonas
aeruginosa, staphylococci and
escherichia coli using natural
proteins.
The gels were able to break down
the thick jelly-like coating, known
as biofilms, which covered bacteria
and made them highly resistant
to current therapies, while leaving
healthy cells unaffected, the
research said.
Dr Garry Laverty, from the
School of Pharmacy at Queen’s
University, and lead researcher,
said that bacteria could attach
to surfaces such as implants
like hip replacements, forming
an impenetrable biofilm over
the prosthesis and preventing
antibiotics from accessing them,
meaning bacteria within the layer
were resistant.
“Our gels are unique as they
target and kill the most resistant
forms of hospital superbugs.”
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