CDRI IISER Antibiotic For Superbugs
Researchers from CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute (CDRI), Lucknow, and Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Pune, have identified a protein pathway in an antibiotic-resistant bacterial strain called Staphylococcus aureus.
What’s more, is that they have developed a new molecule that can target this pathway and inhibit the growth of the superbug- S. aureus
The new molecule has been named as indole based quinone epoxide (IND-QE). This molecule can cross the bacterial cell barriers and disrupt the functioning of MarR proteins, which are essential for the growth and survival of S. aureus bacteria.
Given the increase in bacterial resistance globally, the development of new antibiotics is a significant challenge among researchers. New medicines are usually based on natural products such as fungal or plant extracts or from vast chemical libraries, which are a series of stored chemicals.
CDRI IISER Antibiotic For Superbugs- New Approach To Destroy Superbugs
The CDRI IISER researchers have selected a relatively less-explored process of antibiotic discovery.
Dr. Harinath Chakrapani, a researcher at IISER, Pune said that a novel set of proteins (MarR) has been identified in S. aureus that could be targeted by antibacterial agents to tackle severe infections. This
approach has led to the inhibition of extremely drug-resistant VRSA bacteria.IND-QE were synthesized at IISER Pune, while researchers at CSIR CDRI screened the compounds against a panel of pathogens. It was again followed by the experiments at IISER Pune to identify and validate the protein targets of these compounds.
CDRI IISER Antibiotic For Superbugs – The Way Forward
S. aureus is commonly found on human skin and mucosal membranes. If the micro-organism enters the bloodstream or internal tissues, it can cause serious infections such as endocarditis, osteomyelitis or pneumonia, etc.
Staphylococcus aureus is an infection-causing bacteria which can readily become Superbug.
The MarR protein found in bacteria is essential for its growth and survival, which can be destroyed by the IND-QE molecule.
CDRI IISER Antibiotic For Superbugs can be seen as a breakthrough By Indian researchers to combat AMR.
