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Scientists have synthesized a substance that is 30 times more powerful than modern antibiotics
Last reviewed: 30.06.2025
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Scientists have managed to synthesize a compound that mammals stopped producing 59 million years ago. It turns out that it has antimicrobial properties and is effective against bacteria that are resistant to most modern drugs.
This study was helped by the Tammar kangaroo, whose genome is very similar to the human genome and was deciphered in 2008. When observing baby kangaroos, scientists assumed that they have a strong immune system, since after birth they climb into the mother's pouch, where there are many types of bacteria that have the properties of "superbugs".
Genes responsible for the synthesis of 14 antimicrobial proteins of the cathelicidin family were found and studied. Five genes had a very similar structure, which made it possible to assume that these peptides had a common ancestor.
The scientists then restored the original gene that existed millions of years ago and synthesized the corresponding peptide, which had a very broad range of action against a large number of bacteria and was named WAM (wallaby antimicrobial).
In laboratory conditions, this substance (antibiotic) destroyed 6 out of 7 types of bacteria with multiple drug resistance. At the same time, it turned out to be 30 times more powerful than the modern antibiotic - tetracycline.
Experts suggest that such ancient molecules may be more effective than existing antibiotics, since bacteria have not encountered these substances for millions of years, and even if they developed resistance to them, they have managed to safely forget about them over the years.
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