New target found on bacterial cells
Scientists in Australia have reported a new approach to tackling dangerous antibiotic-resistant infections by focusing on a sugar molecule found only on bacterial cells. The work, published in Nature Chemical Biology, describes how engineered antibodies can recognise this distinctive sugar and help the immune system attack bacteria that typically survive standard antibiotic treatment.
According to the researchers, the sugar acts like a unique “flag” on the surface of certain harmful bacteria. By designing antibodies that bind to it, the team aimed to mark the bacteria for immune clearance, rather than relying solely on drugs that directly kill or stop bacterial growth.
Mouse study shows strong response
In laboratory testing, an antibody created in the lab was able to eliminate a normally fatal bacterial infection in mice. The study reports that the antibody works by binding to the bacterial sugar and triggering immune mechanisms that identify, target, and remove the infection.
Researchers said the findings highlight a potential pathway for developing new treatments against drug-resistant bacteria, including infections that are increasingly difficult to manage with existing antibiotics.
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