Disease: Lomentospora prolificans infections

Microbe Profile: Streptomyces formicae KY5: an ANT-ibiotic factory

Scientists have discovered a special bacterium called Streptomyces formicae that lives in ant nests and produces powerful antibiotics. This bacterium makes formicamycins, which can kill dangerous bacteria like methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus that resists many common antibiotics. Using advanced genetic tools, researchers can modify this bacterium to unlock hidden antibiotic-producing pathways, potentially leading to new medicines to fight drug-resistant infections.

Read More »

Microbe Profile: Streptomyces formicae KY5: an ANT-ibiotic factory

Scientists discovered a special bacterium called Streptomyces formicae living in ant nests in Africa that produces powerful antibiotics effective against dangerous drug-resistant bacteria and fungi. This bacterium has the genetic potential to make at least 45 different antimicrobial compounds, though most are not currently being produced under standard laboratory conditions. Using advanced gene-editing techniques like CRISPR, researchers are working to activate these hidden pathways to discover new medicines. This research demonstrates how exploring bacteria in nature can lead to finding new antibiotics to treat serious infections.

Read More »
Scroll to Top