Bacteria can rapidly evolve resistance to antibiotics by adapting special pumps to flush them out of their cells, according to new research from the Quadram Institute and University of East Anglia. The study is published in the journal npj Antimicrobials and Resistance.
Bacteria can rapidly evolve resistance to antibiotics by adapting special pumps to flush them out of their cells, according to new research from the Quadram Institute and University of East Anglia. The study is published in the journal npj Antimicrobials and Resistance.
Antimicrobial resistance is a growing problem of global significance. The rise of resistant „superbugs“ threatens our ability to use antimicrobials like antibiotics to treat and prevent the spread of infections caused by microorganisms.
It is hoped that the findings will improve how antibiotics are used to help prevent further spread of antimicrobial resistance.
Prof Mark Webber UEA’s Norwich Medical School, and the Quadram Institute, said, „Knowing the details of the mechanisms bacteria develop to become resistant is a key step to understanding antimicrobial resistance. We hope that this kind of work to understand when and how resistance emerges can help us use antibiotics better to minimize selection of resistance.
