New 'Peptide Polymers' Which Kill Antibiotic-Resistant Bugs Developed

Scientists claim to have developed tiny, star-shaped molecules which may effectively wipe out deadly bacteria that can no longer be killed by current antibiotics. The study holds promise for a new treatment method against antibiotic resistant bacteria, commonly known as superbugs. The star-shaped structures are short chains of proteins called ‘peptide polymers’. Researchers said that currently the only treatment for infections caused by bacteria is antibiotics. However, over time bacteria mutate to protect themselves against antibiotics, making treatment no longer effective. These mutated bacteria are known as ‘superbugs’. It is estimated that the rise of superbugs will cause up to 10 million deaths a year by 2050. In addition, there have only been one or two new antibiotics developed in the last 30 years.

Recently, the team created a star-shaped peptide polymer that was effective at killing Gram-negative bacteria – a major class of bacteria known to be highly prone to antibiotic resistance – while being non-toxic to the body. Tests undertaken on red blood cells showed that the star-shaped polymer dosage rate would beed to be increased by a factor of greater than 100 to become toxic. The star-shaped peptide polymer is alos effective in killing superbugs when tested in animal models. Superbugs showed no signs of resistance against these peptide polymers. The discovered that their star-shaped peptide polymers can kill bacteria with multiple pathways, unlike most antibiotics which kill with a single pathway.

Researchers believe that this accounts for the superior performance of the star-shaped peptide polymers over antibiotics. One of these pathways includes ‘ripping apart’ the bacteria cell wall. While more research is needed, researchers believe that their discovery is the beginning of unlocking a new treatment for antibiotic-resistant pathogens.