Research Keyword: Natural product discovery

Honeybee associated Aspergillus niger AW17 as a source of selective anticancer compounds with cytotoxicity evaluation in human cancer cell lines

Scientists discovered that a fungus found in honeybees can produce compounds that effectively kill cancer cells while leaving healthy cells largely unharmed. The fungus (Aspergillus niger AW17) contains unique bioactive compounds including high levels of oleic acid and a rare compound called pachymic acid. When tested against four types of human cancer cells, the fungal extract was particularly effective against liver and colorectal cancer. This finding suggests that exploring specialized environments like beehives could lead to new cancer treatments with fewer side effects.

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Characterizing antimicrobial activity of environmental Streptomyces spp. and oral bacterial and fungal isolates from Canis familiaris and Felis catus

Researchers collected bacteria and fungi from the mouths of pet dogs and cats, as well as environmental soil bacteria, to search for natural antimicrobial compounds. They found that some of these microorganisms produce substances that can kill harmful bacteria like E. coli and fungi like Candida albicans, especially when combined with existing antifungal medications. Notably, one environmental bacterium (Streptomyces) produced a compound that was even effective against fungal strains resistant to common antifungal drugs, suggesting promising new treatment possibilities.

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

Scientists discovered a special bacterium called Streptomyces formicae living with plant-ants in Africa that produces powerful antibiotics. This bacterium can kill dangerous drug-resistant bacteria and fungi that are hard to treat with current medicines. By using genetic tools, researchers are unlocking the bacterium’s hidden potential to create many more new antibiotics that could help fight infections.

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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.

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