Central OC Times

Scientists at the University of California, Irvine have developed a new family of antibiotics that could potentially combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria. This breakthrough is described in a study published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society. The team, led by Sophia Padilla, a Ph.D. candidate in chemistry, and James Nowick, a Distinguished Professor of chemistry at UC Irvine, has focused on modifying vancomycin, an existing drug used as a last resort for severe infections.

“The issue with antibiotics is this crisis of antibiotic resistance,” said Padilla. “When it comes to antibiotics, bacteria can evolve defenses against them – they’re becoming stronger and always getting better at protecting themselves.”

Approximately 35,000 people in the United States die annually from infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria such as Staphylococcus. Additionally, about 2.8 million individuals suffer from bacterial illnesses each year.

“It’s a big problem,” said Nowick.

The newly designed antibiotics work by targeting two different parts of a molecule on the surfaces of pathogenic bacteria. Nowick explains this process as akin to grabbing the bacteria with both hands and subduing it: “What’s happening at the molecular level is there are two pieces that can be targeted and that can be grabbed on to.”

This approach aims to bind molecules necessary for building protective cell walls in bacteria, potentially ending the cycle of developing new drugs for evolving strains.

Padilla emphasized that current efforts to modify existing antibiotics are costly and not entirely effective: “It doesn’t really solve the problem,” she said. She advocates for exploring new methods rather than relying solely on modifications of known drugs.

“What’s a new way that we can develop an antibiotic that doesn’t require us to keep doing the same thing over and over again?” Padilla asked. “I think with our approach, and the approach of several others, we’re starting to target something that bacteria will most likely not evolve resistance to.”

The research aligns with UC Irvine's Brilliant Future campaign launched in 2019 aimed at enhancing student success, health and wellness, research initiatives among other goals through alumni engagement and philanthropic investment.

UC Irvine is recognized as one of America's top public universities known for its academic achievements and research contributions.