A breakthrough moment: Researchers discover new class of antibiotics
Researchers at McMaster University discovered lariocidin, a new antibiotic effective against drug-resistant bacteria, which is non-toxic to humans and operates uniquely, addressing the urgent need for antimicrobial treatments.
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Researchers at McMaster University have discovered a new class of antibiotics, specifically a molecule named lariocidin, which shows promise against drug-resistant bacteria. This discovery is significant as it addresses the urgent need for new antimicrobial treatments due to the rising threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), which the World Health Organization identifies as a major global health issue. Lariocidin, a lasso peptide produced by the soil bacterium Paenibacillus, operates by binding to bacterial protein synthesis machinery in a novel manner, inhibiting bacterial growth and survival. Unlike existing antibiotics, lariocidin is non-toxic to human cells and is not affected by current antibiotic resistance mechanisms. The research team, led by Gerry Wright, is now focused on modifying lariocidin to enhance its efficacy and produce it in sufficient quantities for clinical development. The initial discovery was a significant breakthrough, but further work is required to optimize the molecule for therapeutic use.
- McMaster University researchers have discovered a new antibiotic class, lariocidin, effective against drug-resistant bacteria.
- Lariocidin operates through a unique mechanism, targeting bacterial protein synthesis.
- The antibiotic is non-toxic to human cells and resistant to existing antibiotic resistance mechanisms.
- The research team is working on modifications to enhance lariocidin for clinical applications.
- This discovery addresses the critical global health threat posed by antimicrobial resistance.
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2 commentsA new class of antibiotics referenced in the article above:
Jangra, M., Travin, D.Y., Aleksandrova, E.V. et al. A broad-spectrum lasso peptide antibiotic targeting the bacterial ribosome. Nature (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-025-08723-7
And a new anti-fungal! We've only got a handful of these:
Deng, Q., Li, Y., He, W. et al. A polyene macrolide targeting phospholipids in the fungal cell membrane. Nature (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-025-08678-9
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