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New $1.9M NIH Grant to Investigate Copper’s Bactericidal Properties
- Researchers at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson have received a $1.9 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to investigate the use of copper as a next-generation antibiotic.
- Copper has been recognised for thousands of years for its antimicrobial properties, but there is still room for a deeper understanding of its mechanisms of action.
- If successful, copper could be used as a potential agent against harmful microorganisms and help address the global health crisis of antibiotic resistance.
- Copper has been used by various civilisations to mitigate the risks of bacterial infections, due to its effectiveness at preventing bacterial growth. However, there is still significant untapped potential.
- Antibiotic resistance poses a serious threat. Certain strains of bacteria are mutating to escape the effects of established antimicrobial treatments.
- Copper has the unique ability to disrupt critical biological processes in bacteria and can be particularly effective in pathogens such as Streptococcus pneumoniae.
- The laboratory’s approach is centred around overwhelming bacteria with copper, potentially tricking them into synthesising essential proteins using inappropriate metals.
- Johnson’s previous research has begun to uncover the mechanisms behind copper-induced bacterial toxicity, and his current project aims to clarify how copper’s interaction with other bacterial pathogens may inform treatment options.
- This innovative research could offer fresh perspectives on preventing and managing lethal infections and potentially lead to novel therapeutic strategies.
- Scholars and health professionals are watching closely as this research develops, hoping that Johnson’s work might lead to a revolutionary breakthrough in our battle against antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
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