Link: this is nottingham
University of Nottingham scientists say they have taken a step forward in the fight against superbugs, such as MRSA.
They have identified the structure of an important protein involved in the reproduction of bacteria, which they hope will enable drugs to be designed to prevent their growth.
The research has involved a bacteria called Bacillus strearothermophilus, but researchers are confident that the same results would be seen in more harmful bacteria.
In a scientific paper being published today, the researchers explain how they hope to be able to stop infection-causing bacteria at a molecular level.
Leading the Nottingham team, Dr Panos Soultanas said: "Many, many strains of bacteria have already become resistant to drugs. To overcome this we need to find inventive ways of developing new treatments and we believe there is great potential in using molecules that will disrupt protein to protein interactions necessary for the replication of DNA in bacteria, essentially leaving them unable to reproduce. It’s a race between us and the bugs and we always need to keep one step ahead to find new drugs."
