Biochemists find drug which renders bacteria helpless

Biochemistry experts in Canada have created a drug which renders superbugs defenceless.

Studies at Universite de Montreal uncovered the fact that bacteria which is resistant to normal treatments can be hit with a drug which weakens them and allows the immune system to finish the fight.

Dr Christian Baron, the study's lead author and professor at the university's Department of Biochemistry, said that bacteria is much like Darth Vader from Star Wars in his shiny black armour. He’s strong and powerful while protected but once that armour is taken away he’s defenceless.

“A naked Darth Vader would be an easy target and similarly, pathogenic bacteria without their virulence factors would be rendered harmless and eliminated by our immune system,” Dr Baron said.

Published in the Chemistry & Biology journal, the study said that pathogenic bacteria is the scourge of mankind but the introduction of antibiotics during the past century has allowed most bacteria to be contained.

However, some bacteria is adaptable and can survive certain kinds of antibiotics.

Dr Baron said: “Bacteria have the capacity to develop resistance to antibiotics and they transfer this capacity to their offspring and to other bacteria.

“As a consequence, resistance began to emerge among the bacteria soon after the introduction of antibiotics.

“In their worst forms, "superbugs" have emerged, those resistant to all but a few or even to all antibiotics.”

His team discovered that small molecules which target proteins in the biological system are needed in order for bacteria to be harmful.

Using this information they found a way to unravel the binding of these molecules and target proteins known as VirB8.

The report added that laboratory tests and clinical trials will still have to be made in order for an anti-virulence drug to be fully proven but this could be a major step towards winning the fight against ever-adapting bacteria.