Proteins could offer novel antibiotic target
Thursday, October 6, 2011 - 05:30
in Biology & Nature
Bacteria are single-celled organisms that inhabit almost every environment on the planet, including the bodies of humans and animals. The cell wall maintains the structural integrity of the cell, and enables the bacteria to survive in its chosen environment. In disease-causing bacteria (pathogens) it also plays a role in the progression of the disease. A group of scientists from Newcastle University and the Nara Institute of Science and Technology in Japan have used Diamond to identify a group of proteins that enable certain bacteria to build effective cell walls. These proteins may provide a novel antibiotic target for a range of disease-causing bacteria.