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Antibiotic cocktail made by soil bacteria can kill superbugs

Researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago discovered a gene megacluster in Streptomyces bacteria. This cluster produces a cocktail of four antibiotics and one protein that target the production of biotin. The combination attacks multiple stages of a metabolic pathway essential for bacterial growth.

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Scientists identified a specific gene megacluster in Streptomyces bacteria that targets vitamin B7 production.

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  1. Soil Bacteria Megacluster Produces Antibiotic Cocktail to Kill Superbugs

    Researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago discovered a gene megacluster in Streptomyces bacteria. This cluster produces a cocktail of four antibiotics and one protein that target the production of biotin. The combination attacks multiple stages of a metabolic pathway essential for bacterial growth.

    What's confirmed:

    • University of Illinois Chicago researchers discovered a new antibiotic that targets drug-resistant superbugs.
    • The discovery involves a gene megacluster in Streptomyces bacteria.
    • The gene cluster produces five compounds consisting of four antibiotics and a protein.
    • These compounds target different stages of the production of biotin, also known as vitamin B7.
    • Biotin is essential for bacterial cell growth.
    • The research was published in Nature.

    Still unconfirmed:

    • The new antibiotic is named manikomycin.
    • Only one in every hundred million bacteria survived in tests against a newly discovered peptide.
    • McMaster University uncovered the natural antibiotic cocktail.
    confidence 90%