Australian scientists from Monash University and Harvard University have made antibiotics more
During a bacterial infection, the bodyuses chemoattractants - molecules that attract neutrophils. Neutrophils, in turn, are immune cells that play a crucial role in the immune response. Just the same they can kill dangerous bacteria.
Scientists have used Staphylococcus aureus,which is known for antibiotic resistance. They attached a chemoattractant to the popular antibiotic vancomycin. Their interaction increased the number of immune cells.
“We worked on using 'hybrids'antibiotic and dual-acting chemoattractant that improve neutrophil recruitment and increase the chances of killing bacteria, ”said lead researcher at the Monash Biomedical Discovery Institute, Dr. Jennifer Payne.
Scientists engineered the infection on a chip totrack the appearance of human immune cells. They observed in real time how the interaction of vancomycin and chemoattractant eliminates Staphylococcus aureus.
Researchers are currently looking for partnersto continue clinical trials, and to develop an antibiotic strategy in intensive care settings to protect the most vulnerable patients.
Source: nature