LONDON: Scientists have identified a previously unknown function of the immune system that could lead to a breakthrough in the fight against antibiotic-resistant infections. Researchers supported by the European Research Council have found that proteasomes, structures within cells known for breaking down proteins, also play a key role in detecting bacteria and launching a defence mechanism to stop their growth.
This discovery, described as an “untapped source of natural antibiotics,” could revolutionise the treatment of infectious diseases by offering an alternative to traditional antibiotics. With antibiotic resistance becoming a major global crisis, the potential for new natural antibacterials is an exciting development.
Professor Yifat Merbl from the Weizmann Institute of Science called it an “exciting” finding, explaining that this newly discovered mechanism is happening throughout the body and could generate an entirely new class of natural antibiotics. The research, published in Nature, opens the door for innovative diagnostic and therapeutic strategies in the fight against bacterial infections.
While the discovery has sparked enthusiasm, experts caution that it will take time before it translates into practical treatments. Professor Danile Davis, head of Life Sciences at Imperial College London, said that while the findings are “very interesting,” further testing is needed before they can be developed into a new antibiotic source.
As antibiotic resistance threatens global health, this discovery provides hope for new solutions, potentially changing the way we treat infections in the future.
Agencies/BBC
