Ancient DNA Antibiotics

One of the biggest threats to health around the world right now is antibiotic resistance. Bacteria are always changing so that they can’t be killed by antibiotics. This makes it harder and harder to treat infections.

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Now, scientists are looking to the past to find new ways to solve this issue. The DNA of extinct animals like woolly mammoths and giant sloths is being used to find new antibiotic sources.

What is DNA from long ago?

DNA from living things that have been extinct for a very long time, like millions or even thousands of years. It can be kept alive in bones, fossils, and other organic matter.

Why is DNA from long ago important for studying antibiotics?

DNA from long ago is useful for studying antibiotics because it can hold genes for making antimicrobial peptides. Antimicrobial peptides are little proteins that can get rid of bacteria and other germs.

Antimicrobial peptides found in ancient DNA have already been shown to work against bacteria that are not easily killed with antibiotics. One peptide, trehalose-6-phosphate synthase/phosphatase (TPS), has been shown to kill MRSA, a very dangerous type of bacteria that is not easily killed with antibiotics.

How do scientists find new antibiotics by using DNA from long ago?

In a number of ways, scientists are using old DNA to make new antibiotics. To begin, they are taking out and sequencing old DNA to find genes for antimicrobial peptides. Once they know what genes they are, they can make the peptides and test them against bacteria that are not sensitive to antibiotics.

Second, researchers are changing antibiotics that already exist by using DNA from long ago. For instance, they have added genes for antimicrobial peptides to antibiotics that are already on the market to make them work better against bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics.

What are some good things that might come from using old DNA to make new antibiotics?

Using DNA from long ago to make new antibiotics could be helpful in a number of ways. First, DNA from very old organisms has a huge variety of antimicrobial peptides that have never been seen before. There is a good chance that new antibiotics will be found that can kill bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics.

Second, DNA from long ago can be used to make antibiotics that work better against specific germs than current antibiotics. In other words, they could kill germs without hurting good cells. This might make antibiotics safer to use and less likely to cause side effects.

In conclusion Ancient DNA Antibiotics:

A promising new way to fight the growing threat of antibiotic resistance is to look through old DNA for new sources of antibiotics. Based on ancient DNA, scientists are already making progress on making new antibiotics. These antibiotics could help make the future healthier for everyone.