Antibiotic resistance is one of the most serious health problems. There has been a lot of research on the problem and many scientists around the world working to end a problem that kills more than a million people worldwide every year.
Scientists of the Rockefeller University have synthesized a new antibiotic with the help of computer models. And they found that it also kills antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The molecule, called cilagicin, has been tested in mice and employs a new mechanism to attack deadly pathogens.
Cilagicina, first daughter of a new world
“Cilagicin is not just a fantastic new molecule, it is the embodiment of a new approach to drug discovery,” he says Sean F. Brady, author of the study, in a press release published by the institute.
“This study is an example of the union between computational biology, genetic sequencing and synthetic chemistry: together they are revealing the secrets of bacterial evolution.”
"Fratricidal" war
Throughout history, bacteria have developed various ways to kill each other, so it's no surprise that most antibiotics are derived from bacteria. However, the development of resistance also leads to the formation of difficulties, such as antibiotic-resistant germs, which has pushed researchers to look for new active substances.
The underlying problem? Lot of antibiotics they come from bacteria, but most bacteria cannot be grown in the laboratory. It is a missed opportunity to obtain new, more effective drugs.
In search of the "magic key"
To solve the problem, Brady and colleagues began working on a huge database of genetic sequences with the goal of finding potential bacterial genes thought to be important in killing other bacteria and that had not previously been studied.
The “cil” gene cluster, never before studied in this context, stood out due to its proximity to other genes used in the production of antibiotics. For this reason the researchers duly fed its relevant sequences into an algorithm: the algorithm proposed a handful of compounds that probably produce “cyl”. One compound, appropriately called cilagicin, has proven to be an effective antibiotic.
How does Cilagicine work?
Cilagicin works by binding two molecules, C55-P e C55-PP, which support both bacterial cell walls: the compound's ability to turn off both molecules is the infallible weapon against bacterial resistance to antibiotics.
Although cilagicin has not yet undergone human testing, Brady's lab will perform more syntheses to improve the compound in subsequent studies and test it in animal models against a broader range of infections to ascertain which diseases it would be most useful in treating.
The results of the study were published in the journal Science (I link them to you here).
