Harvard Researchers Develop Highly Effective Antibiotic to Combat Drug-Resistant Infections
In a breakthrough discovery, Harvard researchers have developed a highly effective antibiotic that has the potential to combat drug-resistant infections. These infections have become a global health menace, claiming the lives of approximately one million people every year. The new synthetic compound, known as cresomycin, has shown remarkable success in killing deadly superbugs that are resistant to antibiotics, including Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Led by Professor of Chemistry and Chemical Biology Andrew Myers, the team at Harvard University has been working tirelessly to find a solution to the growing threat of superbugs. Their research, published in the journal Science, highlights the improved ability of cresomycin to bind to bacterial ribosomes, which are biomolecular machines responsible for controlling protein synthesis.
Many existing antibiotics disrupt ribosomal function, but certain superbug bacteria have evolved shielding mechanisms that render these drugs ineffective. The new molecule draws inspiration from a class of antibiotics called lincosamides, which includes the commonly prescribed clindamycin. However, cresomycin is fully synthetic and features chemical modifications that cannot be achieved through existing means.
By leveraging the power of organic synthesis, the researchers have been able to design new antibiotics with almost limitless possibilities. The bacterial ribosome serves as nature’s preferred target for antibacterial agents, and it has been the source of inspiration for the team’s program. To overcome the resistance developed by bacteria, Dr. Myers and his team engineered cresomycin into a rigid shape that closely resembles its target, giving it a stronger grip on the ribosome.
The researchers describe their drug as being ‘pre-organized’ for ribosomal binding, as it does not need to expend as much energy conforming to its target compared to existing drugs. This innovative approach has shown significantly improved inhibitory activity against a wide range of pathogenic bacterial strains, surpassing the effectiveness of clinically approved antibiotics.
The discovery of cresomycin was made possible through component-based synthesis, a method pioneered by the Myers Research Group. This approach involves building large molecular components of equal complexity and bringing them together at later stages, similar to pre-building sections of a complicated LEGO set before assembling them. This modular and completely synthetic system allows the researchers to make and test hundreds of target molecules, greatly accelerating the drug discovery process.
While the safety and effectiveness of cresomycin in humans are yet to be determined, the results from the study are promising. The researchers believe that this breakthrough could pave the way for the development of more effective antibiotics to combat drug-resistant infections. Antibiotics form the foundation of modern medicine, enabling cutting-edge medical procedures such as surgeries, cancer treatments, and organ transplants.
The research received early support from Harvard’s Blavatnik Biomedical Accelerator, which provided funding to Dr. Myers’ lab in 2013 for testing drug compounds. Recently, ongoing research by the team was awarded $1.2 million by a nonprofit organization for further development of oral antibiotics that could potentially eradicate drug-resistant infections.
This groundbreaking discovery brings hope in the fight against superbugs and offers a glimmer of light in an otherwise bleak scenario. The sharing of this news on social media can help spread awareness about the importance of antibiotic research and its impact on global health. Together, we can herald some good news and contribute to the ongoing battle against drug-resistant infections.
