Isolated marine microorganism found on the seabed off Northern Norway may replace the current antibiotics. (Photo: University of Tromsø)

On the seabed off Northern Norway scientists have found substances they believe could replace the current antibiotics. It is almost thirty years since a new antibiotic was licensed, and scientists have predicted that it is only a matter of time before bacteria get resistant to current antibiotics.

Researchers have found substances with antibacterial properties in microorganisms recovered off the coast of the Troms and Finnmark counties. Research manager Jeanette Hammer Andersen says to NRK that the combination of cold and darkness can form the properties medical science is looking for.

– We have made extracts from these substances and tested them against staphylococci and E. coli, and more. We can already see that the extracts contain compounds that inhibit growth and can kill these bacteria, so it is very promising, says Andersen.

Started in 2012

The project has been ongoing since 2012, but it is the last few months there have been results.

Research manager Jeanette Hammer Andersen at the University of Trømsø. (Photo: University of Tromsø)

Andersen believes the potential of the hostile marine environment off the coast in the north is far greater than what is currently uncovered.

– Organisms or bacteria that live in Arctic waters have developed a strategy and a separate chemical process itself in order to survive in as little and as much light as it can be here, that they are special. When they are special or have special conditions for life, the theory is that they can produce special or unique chemical compositions, she explains.

30 Years Since New Antibiotic

It is almost thirty years since a new antibiotic was licensed and scientists believe that it is only a matter of time before bacteria get resistant to current antibiotics. Therefore, Andersen’s research is followed with great interest.

– What we must do now is to study the extracts and attempt to isolate the individual compounds in this mixture to see if the substances can be a potential antibiotic, says Andersen to NRK.

Text modified by: Thor Lanesskog, ThorNews

Source: NRK

Categories: Sports & Health