Researchers at the University of Michigan have made an important breakthrough in the fight for new antibiotics.
The new antibiotic compounds, called cathuitamycins, were developed from microorganisms found in Costa Rica. It’s the first of its kind to prevent biofilm, which is a cluster of drug-resistant bacteria commonly found on prosthetics and hospital equipment.
David Sherman is a researcher in the Life Sciences Department for the College of Pharmacy at UM.
He says,
“Something like this has simply never been found before. We’re excited about the idea that we can develop this as a clinical agent [and can] prevent the formation of these biofilms.”
Sherman says the discovery could be the difference between recovery or further illness for injured military veterans with prosthetics and other hospital patients.
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- Amanda LeClaire is an assignment reporter, and anchor for 89.1 WEMU News. Contact her at 734.487.3363 or email her: aleclaire@wemu.org.
