How An Antibiotic Inhibits Bacterial Growth

Scientists have known that the drug linezolid -- the first new antibiotic to enter the marketplace in 30 years -- works by binding to ribosomes, the protein production factory of the cell. But exactly where the binding occurred and how the drug worked was not known. Until now. "Linezolid targets ribosomes, inhibits protein synthesis, and kills bacteria," said Alexander Mankin, professor and associate director of UIC's Center for Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and lead investigator of the study. "If we know exactly where the drug binds, we can make it better and learn how to use it more effectively." Linezolid is a synthetic antibiotic used for the treatment of infections caused by pathogens such as staph and strep, including multi-drug-resistant bacteria.... Whole article "ScienceDaily":[ http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/05/070510194041.htm]

---

Related articles

Resistance Is Futile - Antibiotics have saved countless lives since Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin in 1927 (31.3.2007)

Simulated Populations Used To Probe Gene Mapping - More powerful computers are allowing scientists and engineers to conduct simulations that grow more realistic each year (27.3.2007)

Bacterial Walls Come Tumbling Down - The first detailed images of an elusive drug target on the outer wall of bacteria may provide scientists with enough new information to aid design of novel antibiotics (12.3.2007)

Single Gene May Defend Bacteria From Antibiotics And Infection - Bacteria have two major enemies: antibiotic drugs and bacteriophage viruses, which infect and kill them (5.3.2007)

Tea Tree Oil Can Lead to Antibiotic Resistance - Repeated exposure to low doses of Tea Tree Oil – a common ingredient in many beauty products – can increase the chances of suffering from “superbug” infections, University of Ulster scientists have revealed (20.2.2007)