Scientists To Use Neanderthal and Denisovan DNA to Create New Antibiotics

Swedish scientist Svante Paabo who unlocked Neanderthal genome

Published by Jean Jarvaise

August 1, 2023 2:57 am

Scientists have found that the DNA of Neanderthals and Denisovans, our ancient relatives, could hold the key to creating new antibiotics. A study published in the journal Nature found that these ancient humans had genes that code for proteins that can kill bacteria.

The researchers, from the University of Copenhagen in Denmark, compared the genomes of Neanderthals, Denisovans, and modern humans. They found that Neanderthals and Denisovans had genes that code for proteins that are similar to those found in some antibiotics. These proteins can kill bacteria by disrupting their cell walls.

The researchers believe that these proteins could be used to create new antibiotics that are effective against bacteria that have become resistant to existing antibiotics. They are currently working to develop new antibiotics based on these proteins.

The discovery is a significant breakthrough in the fight against antibiotic resistance. Antibiotic resistance is a major global health problem. As bacteria become more resistant to antibiotics, it becomes more difficult to treat infections. The discovery of new antibiotics is essential to preventing the spread of antibiotic resistance.

The researchers say that their findings suggest that Neanderthals and Denisovans may have had a better ability to fight off infections than modern humans. This could be because they were exposed to different bacteria than modern humans. The researchers say that their findings could also help us to understand how antibiotic resistance evolved.

The discovery of new antibiotics based on Neanderthal and Denisovan DNA is a promising development in the fight against antibiotic resistance. It is a reminder that our ancient relatives may hold the key to some of the most pressing medical problems of our time.

What does this mean for the future of antibiotics?

The discovery that Neanderthals and Denisovans had genes that code for proteins that can kill bacteria is a significant breakthrough in the fight against antibiotic resistance. It suggests that there are new antibiotics to be found in the genomes of our ancient relatives.

The researchers who made this discovery are currently working to develop new antibiotics based on these proteins. If they are successful, this could lead to a new generation of antibiotics that are effective against bacteria that have become resistant to existing antibiotics.

This is a major step forward in the fight against antibiotic resistance. It is a reminder that we should not take antibiotics for granted. We need to use them wisely and responsibly, so that we can preserve their effectiveness for future generations.