Scientists have discovered a potential new source of antibiotics in the depths of the Arctic Ocean. Researchers analyzed samples collected during an expedition to the Arctic in 2020 and found that marine microbes called actinobacteria produce substances that can stop harmful bacteria from growing and causing disease.
The team tested hundreds of unknown compounds extracted from actinobacteria living inside invertebrates and found two compounds with strong antibacterial properties. One compound, produced by a strain of Rhodococcus, stopped Escherichia coli (EPEC) bacteria from infecting lab-grown cells. The other, produced by Kocuria, slowed the growth of EPEC bacteria.
The study’s findings suggest that these compounds could be a promising new source of antibiotics. However, more work is needed to bring these compounds to market. The team must overcome hurdles such as producing larger amounts and studying their structures and biological activity in detail.
While there are still challenges ahead, the researchers are optimistic about the potential for discovering many more of these compounds in the depths of the Arctic Ocean.
Source: https://www.livescience.com/health/medicine-drugs/arctic-expedition-uncovers-deep-sea-microbes-that-may-harbor-the-next-generation-of-antibiotics