Smart-Bomb Antibiotic Leaves Good Bacteria Alone

Feb-03-14 A new antibiotic “smart-bomb” could help to reduce the risk of antibiotic bacteria by targeting only specific strains.

The technique, developed by researchers at North Carolina State University, takes advantage of the immune system of many bacteria, called the CRISPR-Cas system. This system creates small strands of CRISPR RNAs, which match the DNA of specific invaders and protect the bacteria by releasing Cas proteins to cut the DNA of the unwanted intruder.

By designing CRISPR RNAs that target the DNA of the bacteria itself, the team has developed a way to cause the bacteria to commit suicide as its CRISPR-Cas system attacks its own DNA. In tests, the team was able to eliminate a sample of Salmonella bacteria without damaging any of the good bacteria around it. The researchers are now working on a way to deliver the CRISPR RNA effectively in clinical settings.

Image: Wikipedia, Salmonella bacteria

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[GIZMAG.COM]
[NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY]

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