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New Way to Fight E. Coli: Cockroach Brains

Pests could be valuable new source of antibiotics

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Sep 7, 2010 4:57 AM CDT

(Newser) – Scientists believe they've finally found a use for cockroaches. The brains and nervous systems of cockroaches and locusts hold molecules that can kill off up to 90% of MRSA and E. Coli bacteria without damaging human tissue, Bloomberg reports. Researchers believe the insects could be key to developing next-generation antibiotics to deal with emerging drug-resistant "superbugs" like Acinetobacter.

The same thing that makes cockroaches dirty, disease-spreading pests makes them a potentially valuable source of antibiotics, say scientists. "Insects often live in unsanitary and unhygienic environments where they encounter many different types of bacteria,” the lead researcher explained. “It is therefore logical that they have developed ways of protecting themselves against micro-organisms.”

These new antibiotics could potentially provide alternatives to currently available drugs that may be effective but have serious and unwanted side effects, the lead researcher says.
"These new antibiotics could potentially provide alternatives to currently available drugs that may be effective but have serious and unwanted side effects," the lead researcher says.   (Shutter Stock)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 4 comments
Cat-Lover
Sep 7, 2010 6:31 PM CDT
I can't imagine how any part of a cockroach is retrievable after being squashed when I step on them.
spdavid
Sep 7, 2010 9:57 AM CDT
I'll take some of that roach med because it'll make me the only species able to survive a nuclear war and repopulate the earth with roach based life.
wildbillhickok
Sep 7, 2010 7:59 AM CDT
Just have to wait now to see how many cockroach farms start up.

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