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Developing tools to find new generation antibiotics

Date:
October 15, 2015
Source:
University of York
Summary:
Scientists have taken an important step in the search to find new antibiotics that are effective against resistant bacteria. The work, scientists say, will provide new tools for creating stable genetically engineered strains which could lead to improvements to existing antibiotics and the development of new ones.
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Scientists at the University of York have taken an important step in the search to find new antibiotics that are effective against resistant bacteria.

Research led by Professor Maggie Smith in the Department of Biology at York will provide new tools for creating stable genetically engineered strains which could lead to improvements to existing antibiotics and the development of new ones.

The study, published in Applied and Environmental Microbiology, used novel genetic engineering tools to manipulate the genes required for antibiotic biosynthesis. The new tools will enable scientists to create new antibiotics.

In a proof of principle experiment, the researchers effectively mixed and matched the genes from different antibiotic biosynthesis pathways to make new antibiotics. They took genes from the biosynthesis pathways for the antibiotics erythromycin and angolomycin to create new molecules that appeared to have antibiotic activity.

The technique could 'unlock' the antibiotic potential of a significantly larger number of biosynthetic pathways than traditional methods of producing antibiotics.Professor Smith said: "We are running out of antibiotics and we need to find ways to improve the ones that we have to make them effective against resistant bacteria or we have to find new ones. It is important to provide the tools to facilitate more innovative experiments for the growing number of researchers who are interested in manipulating antibiotic pathways."

The research also involved scientists at Isomerase Therapeutics (Cambridge, UK), and the National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt and the University of Cairo. It was funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (project grantBB/K003356/1) and the Egyptian Cultural Bureau.


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Materials provided by University of York. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


Journal Reference:

  1. Bahgat Fayed, David A. Ashford, Amal M. Hashem, Magdy A. Amin, Omaima N. El Gazayerly, Matthew A. Gregory, Margaret C.M. Smith. Multiplexed integrating plasmids for engineering the erythromycin gene cluster for expression inStreptomycesand combinatorial biosynthesis. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 2015; AEM.02403-15 DOI: 10.1128/AEM.02403-15

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University of York. "Developing tools to find new generation antibiotics." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 15 October 2015. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/10/151015084505.htm>.
University of York. (2015, October 15). Developing tools to find new generation antibiotics. ScienceDaily. Retrieved March 28, 2024 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/10/151015084505.htm
University of York. "Developing tools to find new generation antibiotics." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/10/151015084505.htm (accessed March 28, 2024).

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