Antibiotic Action: Images Show Bacteria Destroyed in Real Time
- * Gram-negative bacteria: These bacteria have two membranes surrounding each cell, with a cell wall in between.
Here’s a breakdown of the key data from the provided text:
* Gram-negative bacteria: These bacteria have two membranes surrounding each cell, with a cell wall in between. Examples include E. coli, Salmonella, and Shigella.
* Polymyxins: These antibiotics are used to treat infections caused by gram-negative bacteria, especially those resistant to other antibiotics. They work by targeting the outer membrane of the bacteria.
* Research Focus: A new study aimed to understand how polymyxins penetrate the outer membrane of these bacteria.
* Methodology: Researchers used atomic force microscopy - a technique involving a tiny needle to map the bacteria’s surface – to observe the interaction between polymyxins and the bacteria in real-time.
* Importance: Understanding how polymyxins work is crucial because they are an important defense against deadly, drug-resistant infections.
* Publication: The study was published in the journal Nature Microbiology on September 29th.