Battling Bacteria: Antimicrobial 'Hole Puncher' Mechanism Described

**In the battle against bacteria, researchers have scored a direct hit. They have made a discovery that could shorten the road to new and more potent antibiotics.** The rapid development of **bacterial resistance** to conventional **antibiotics** (such as penicillin or vancomycin) has become a major public health concern. Because resistant strains of bacteria can arise faster than drug companies can create antibiotics, understanding how these molecules function could help companies narrow their focus on potential antibiotics and bring them to market sooner. As reported in a paper accepted for publication in the **Journal of the American Chemical Society** and posted on its Web site, researchers have now deciphered the molecular mechanism behind selective **antimicrobial activity** for a prototypical class of synthetic compounds. #img_704#.<> The rapid development of bacterial resistance to conventional antibiotics has become a major public health concern. Gerard Wong, an Illinois professor, and colleagues at the University of Massachusetts have made a discovery that could shorten the road to new and more potent antibiotics. (Credit: Photo by L. Brian Stauffer) Whole article on: "sciencedaily":[ http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/09/070920111411.htm]

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