Australian scientists discovered in that the semi-aquatic animal's milk contains a potent protein able to fight superbugs. They've now identified why, and say it could lead to the creation of a new type of antibiotic. Platypus are monotremes - a tiny group of mammals able to both lay eggs and produce milk. They don't have teats, instead they concentrate milk to their belly and feed their young by sweating it out. This feeding system is thought to be linked to its antibacterial properties, according to the scientists.
It's believed mammals evolved teats or nipples because it was a sterile way to deliver milk to their young. But platypus milk being exposed to the outside leaves their babies in danger of being in contact with harmful bacteria. The unique antibacterial protein their milk contains might be the animal's defence against that, Deakin University's Dr Julie Sharp believes. The researchers found a quirk they say has never been seen in more than , different protein structures known to biologists.
It was dubbed the "Shirley Temple" in reference to its ringlet formation, after the s child star. Text appears: The discovery increases our knowledge of protein structures in general and will inform other drug discovery work done at the Centre]. Text appears: Our Collaborative Crystallisation Centre C3 is one of the best facilities of its kind in the world with expertise in drug discovery and bio-industry applications. Due to its unique features - duck-billed, egg-laying, beaver-tailed and venomous- the platypus has long exerted a powerful appeal to scientists, making it an important subject in the study of evolutionary biology.
In scientists discovered that platypus milk contained unique antibacterial properties that could be used to fight superbugs. Now a team of researchers at CSIRO working with Deakin University have solved a puzzle that helps explain why platypus milk is so potent - bringing it one step closer to being used to save lives. The discovery was made by replicating a special protein contained in platypus milk in a laboratory setting.
Employing the marvels of molecular biology, the Synchrotron, and CSIRO's state of the art Collaborative Crystallisation Centre C3 , the team successfully made the protein, then deciphered its structure to get a better look at it. In the World Health Organisation released a report highlighting the scale of the global threat posed by antibiotic resistance, pleading for urgent action to avoid a "post-antibiotic era", where common infections and minor injuries which have been treatable for decades can once again kill.
The team of scientists at CSIRO and Deakin are seeking collaborators to take the potentially life-saving platypus research to the next stage. Antimicrobial resistance occurs when bacteria that were once responsive to antimicrobial treatments like antibiotics build up a resistance and then pass that resistance on to their next generation. This leads to ineffective treatments and more persistent infections, caused by these resistant 'Superbugs'.
Find out how we can help you and your business. Get in touch using the form below and our experts will get in contact soon! Most intriguingly, the protein has a novel fold in its structure that has not been identified in any of the more than , known protein structures, Dr Newman said. The research identifying the new protein fold, which was published on Thursday in the journal Structural Biology Communications, will inform ongoing drug discovery work, Dr Newman said.
Superbugs are bacteria that were once responsive to antibiotics but have built up resistance to them, leading to ineffective treatments and more persistent infections and sometimes to fatalities. Platypus milk: unlikely weapon in fight against superbugs.
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