Is antibiotic resistance 'game over'? IIT Bombay scientists have developed a powerful 'DNA weapon'.

News Topical, Digital Desk : Have you ever wondered what would happen if our common medicines (antibiotics) became ineffective against stubborn bacteria? In the scientific world, this is called "antibiotic resistance." But now, to tackle this major problem, researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay have discovered a brilliant and unique DNA-based technology. This new strategy could make those stubborn and drug-resistant bacteria vulnerable and sensitive to old antibiotics again.

Emphasis on saving old medicines, not on discovering new ones

Two important studies have recently been conducted at IIT Bombay, led by Professor Ruchi Anand and Professor P.I. Pradeepkumar. The most remarkable thing about these studies is that this team of scientists is not pursuing the development of new antibiotics. Instead, their focus is on how to make the antibiotics we already have safe and effective again.

What are 'aptamers' and how do they work?

How does this miracle happen? To achieve this, researchers used short DNA sequences, known scientifically as "aptamers." When bacteria produce specific enzymes to protect themselves from drugs, these aptamers block those enzymes. Unlike traditional drugs, these aptamers are made from nucleic acids. They are easy to make synthetically, relatively stable, and easily modified to suit specific needs.

Improvements to existing drugs are a better option

Professor Ruchi Anand has a clear perspective on the idea of ​​improving existing drugs rather than inventing new ones. She says that the journey from the discovery of a new drug to its delivery to hospitals is very long and expensive. Therefore, improving existing drugs is a more practical and easier approach. We have known about the effectiveness and safety of these existing drugs for years, so we can make more efficient use of our existing resources.

Success in the lab, but one challenge remains

While this discovery offers great hope for the medical world, the destination is still some distance away. According to the researchers, while the DNA aptamer has performed exceptionally well in lab tests, successfully delivering and using these short DNA strands inside bacteria remains a daunting challenge.

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