Researchers from Northeastern University in Massachusetts, the University of Bonn in Germany, NovoBiotic Pharmaceuticals in Massachusetts, and Selcia Limited in the UK have discovered an antibiotic that eliminates pathogens without any detectable resistance. The medication, called teixobactin, challenges long-held beliefs and is promising toward the treatment of chronic infections. According to the researchers, this is the first identified antibiotic that resists mutations of pathogens. Most antibiotics are identified, but only 1 percent of those will grow in the lab. Teixobactin was discovered through a novel method for growing uncultured bacteria in their natural environment. The approach is based on the iChip, a miniature device that can isolate and help grow single cells. Going forward, the researchers hope to develop teixobactin into a drug.
Source: Northeastern University
