New discovery beats off anthrax
30 Nov 2005 by Evoluted New Media
A recent discovery which stops anthrax in its tracks will aid preparations for possible terrorist attacks say a research team from Stockholm University
A recent discovery which stops anthrax in its tracks will aid preparations for possible terrorist attacks say a research team from Stockholm University.
The team have identified an enzyme that is involved in the multiplication of the bacteria and isolated a substance - N-hydroxylamine - that interrupts its function, stopping the growth of any anthrax infection.
“An anthrax infection in the lungs develops very rapidly and must be stopped as quickly as possible. This can be done by combining the substance N-hydroxylamine with ordinary antibiotics that work more slowly,” said Professor Britt-Marie Sjöberg, Department of Molecular Biology and Functional Genomics.
The team also say that it will be possible to find substances that effectively knock out corresponding enzymes in other pathogenic organisms. “The fact that we have identified a chemically simple and commercially available substance with these properties is of great significance both practically and in terms of further research,” adds Professor Sjöberg.
