Scientists find a new way to test drug-resistant microorganisms

Scientists from the University of York have developed a new method that enables them to check whether an infection is resistant to common antibiotics and microorganisms. The researchers have modified an antibiotic that belongs to the beta-lactam family, the most commonly used drug. They have changed the drug in such a way that,  it has a receptor-mediated sensor that enables them to detect the presence of a particular organism that is resistant to drugs or the treatment. The antibiotic which is modified is applied to a variety of biosensing devices in the hospitals. Based on this, new drugs can be used to target such organisms with higher specificity.

Most of the drugs which belong to the beta-lactam family are used to treat severe bacterial infections. But in recent times, most of the microorganisms are showing resistant towards this class of drugs; causing doctors to stop prescribing them. Therefore, scientists have modified them in such a way that they have used multiple techniques to show that the drug accessible to the enzyme.

This new invention paves the way for the development of various tests which will give the doctors complete information about the bacteria, and also helps them to identify and isolate the bacteria which are resistant, reducing the risk of large outbreaks. This also will bring a new change in the field of biotechnology and will make the clinicians detect whether the infection is treatable with common antibiotics rapidly, or it requires a strong alternate