Superbug Killers: Magnetic-like Coating Attracts & Kills Bacteria without Abx

[Glynis Steele]

This sounds like a very interesting product to look out for.

ScienceDaily (May 10, 2012) — The superbugs have met their match. Conceived at Nanyang Technological University (NTU), it comes in the form of a coating which has a magnetic-like feature that attracts bacteria and kills them without the need for antibiotics.

........" This "sponge-like" polymer holds a positive charge, which acts as a magnet-type of force to draw in bacteria which has a negative charge on their cell walls. When the bacterium comes in contact with the coating, the cell walls are 'sucked' into the nanopores, causing the cell to rupture, thus killing the bacterium......

Prof Chan hopes to further develop this solution into topical applications such as cream and lotions, which can be used to disinfect and treat serious or chronic wounds such as lesions suffered by diabetic patients, killing any bacteria present that are resistant to antibiotics. "Our long term goal is to develop this into an ingestible form, so it can effectively treat bacterial infections within the body, such as pneumonia and meningitis, replacing antibiotics as the standard treatment." she added.

Full article here:

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120510095940.htm

 

[Enid]

Thanks Glynis - that does sound interesting.

 

[August59]

There is a small article in the Discover magazine this month about this. I didn't buy it, so i don't know if it is anymore informative than the above article.