Science has been busy at the university level investigating ways to stop the plague and to stop food borne illnesses. In technology developed at UCLA and UCSD, the AvidBiotics Corporation was started to investigate use of proteins that could specifically connect with and destroy bacteria.
Investigators looked at work that was done on bacteriophages which can attack bacteria and insert their viruses inside of the bacteria, such as E. coli or Salmonella and grow within and destroy the bacteria. These are already approved by the FDA as food additives to reduce bacteria levels.
The difference with the protein, known as R-type pyocins is that they connect with the bacteria and simply puncture the cell wall and let the contents leak out, destroying the bacteria. Since there is no DNA shared it would appear that the bacteria could not "learn" to protect itself or become resistant to the protein. We know that bacteria can become resistant to antibiotics. Certainly, we do not need to develop any more super bacteria by making them resistant to methods of destruction that we have available.
This company is working on a research grant to develop proteins to attack bacteria that could be involved in the plague and be used for Biodefense in case of a Bioterror threat.
There are still many questions that need to be answered and hurdles to cross. One question that certainly needs to be answered is "Can the protein bind with cells in our bodies and destroy them?". Early tests would indicate that the host might not be attacked.
Ecolab has put its financial muscle behind the company, so that it will be first on the block with another weapon in the arsenal to attack bacteria and protect the public.
The future is now. Stay informed. Give me your thoughts on this new form of playing with science and your health.
Rudy
rudy@powerinlearning.com
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