Sifting through the Dirt: Latest Discoveries in Today’s Headlines

Sifting through the Dirt: Latest Discoveries in Today’s Headlines

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A team of researchers from the United Kingdom and Croatia recently published its paper announcing the isolation and discovery of a new species of bacteria that inhibits the growth of ‘superbugs.’ The work isolated bacteria within the Streptomyces genus that thrives in alkaline (highly basic) environments (Terra et al, 2018). This genus is attributed with producing many of the antibiotics that we currently use today, and thus researchers think that there is a treasure trove of more antibiotics within different subspecies. Streptomyces sp. myrophorea, isolate McG1 was isolated from a soil sample in Ireland and was shown to be both extremely tolerant of alkaline environments and able to flourish after exposure to high doses of radiation.

The discovery shows promise in that it may have uncovered new antibiotics that are particularly effective against our modern-day superbugs. However, it feels like there is a new discovery every few months that promises to revolutionize our fight against infectious diseases. I applaud these efforts, but there is a lot to digest behind those catchy headlines. The antibiotics that are being discovered are effective at killing different bacteria because like us, they are all fighting for their place in the world. Some bacteria, like Streptomyces produce antibiotics to keep the other ones at bay, and researchers are co-opting this survival strategy for ourselves.

feels like there is a new discovery every few months

What these headlines fail to report is that these new findings are often excellent in the laboratory, but may never reach the public market. Activity against superbugs in the lab is incredibly important, but it is one of dozens of stages that are required to move an antibiotic from the laboratory to animal, and eventually human testing. At any of these stages, a failure could mean the end of this antibiotic for human use. This doesn’t necessarily mean that the experiments are useless, as this activity against pathogens can be further studied to figure out what properties made them effective killing machines, or they might tell us how certain genes can help to create a better antibiotic.

Research and innovation should always be promoted. I understand that we need to engage the public to show that we are making advances, but realistically, if these new antibiotics are effective superbug killers, there is a marginal chance that they will make it to humans, and even then, it would take many years to see them in use. The headlines generate clicks and conversations, but there is a lot of work behind the scenes to move things forward.

References:

Terra, L., Dyson, P. J., Hitchings, M. D., Thomas, L., Abdelhameed, A., Banat, I. M., … & Quinn, G. A. (2018). A Novel Alkaliphilic Streptomyces Inhibits ESKAPE Pathogens. Frontiers in microbiology9, 2458.

 

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Author: Michael Diamond

I am the co-founder of The Infection Prevention Strategy (TIPS), a non-profit organization that recently announced $1,000,000 in Scientific Impact in its first 24 months of operation. I am devoted to advancing information and science to address the myriad issues relating to infection prevention and global health. My focus is driven by the firm belief that we should not have to wait years for promising technology, ideas and processes to be implemented and accepted. Over the past 24 months I have created a model of information sharing that makes the process of vetting new technologies, implementing successful programs and inspiring innovation, more efficient, more accessible, more global and more collaborative. I believe that my most notable achievement to date is the TIPS online journal, www.IC.tips, a Pan-Access, worldwide collective that extends globally and touches locally. I lead teams around the world to develop trials and pilot studies to aid in the discovery of successful research-to-market technological advancements. These global teams includes engagers and implementers. Currently represented in over 30 countries, and well-established as the world’s largest engagement network, the TIPS motto is: Join. Contribute. Make A Difference.

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