IBM develops macromolecule that could counter antibiotic resistance

Team Udayavani, Jul 23, 2020, 7:11 PM IST

IBM Research team with the support of several other scientists has developed a synthetic macromolecule polymer to counter antibiotic resistance.

It can potentially be used to significantly increase the effectiveness of existing antibiotics. It works by essentially hitching itself to the enzymes that bacteria modify when they are treated using antibiotics, but not completely eliminated

Researchers claim that the polymer attaches to the cytosolic enzymes on the membrane of the pathogens.

However, the report clarified that the study is relatively early research that has been conducted in a highly controlled laboratory.

Researchers worked in partnership with Singapore’s Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology