Nature Podcast New lasso-shaped antibiotic kills drug-resistant bacteria
Mar 26, 2025
In this discussion, Jerry Wright, a lead researcher behind the discovery of the new antibiotic lariocidin, shares insights into its unique lasso-shaped structure and effectiveness against drug-resistant bacteria. Ecologist Florian Altermatt elaborates on a major study revealing the complex effects of human activities on biodiversity, demonstrating how these impacts vary significantly across different scales. Together, they emphasize the urgent need for innovative solutions in both health and environmental conservation.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
The Need for New Antibiotics
- Antibiotic resistance is a growing threat, making existing drugs less effective.
- New antibiotics are desperately needed, as the discovery pipeline has slowed significantly since the 1980s.
Lariocidin: A New Antibiotic
- Lariocidin, a lasso-shaped peptide, has shown promising antibiotic activity.
- It targets the bacterial ribosome, a key component in protein synthesis.
Discovery of Lariocidin
- Lariocidin was discovered from a soil sample from a technician's backyard.
- It was found in an unusual Panaebacillus bacteria after a year of waiting.