Development students of the University of Melbourne can be an alternative to antibiotics.
Student Shu Lam and his colleagues have created a polymerized peptide – structure of the repeating chains of proteins in the form of a star, which is able to destroy the six kinds of superbugs without the help of antibiotics. The idea of Shu Lam has called SNAPP (structural nanoinzheneriya antimicrobial peptide polymers).
Although the product developed in Melbourne, so far tested only in mice, it has been described as revolutionary in importance for medicine is comparable with the discovery of antibiotics.
The advantage of polymers Lamas in that they do not cause harm to healthy cells, unlike antibiotics. Microorganisms ways to adapt to antibiotics and become immune to their effects, while to adapt to the “star” they are not capable.
Previously, the peptides have already tried to use to combat harmful organisms, but these experiments were unsuccessful.
The threat from superbugs is recognized at the UN level. By 2050, the annual death rate from superbugs may be 10 million people, and total damage to the economy will reach 100 trillion dollars.
