Discovery That Antibiotic “Pops” Bacteria Could Lead to Improved Treatments for Superbugs

Work by scientists at Imperial College London and the University of Texas has revealed how a key “last resort” antibiotic kills bacteria. The research has revealed how the antibiotic, colistin, punches holes in both of outer and inner membranes of Gram-negative bacteria, causing them to pop like balloons. The new insights could help researchers develop more powerful and effective forms of antibiotic against some of the deadliest superbugs, and improve therapeutic outcomes for patients. Initial experiments in mice showed how combining colistin with an experimental antibiotic boosted the effectiveness of colistin against a bacterium that can cause devastating lung infections.