"Ninja polymers" will solve the problem of bacterial resistance to antibiotics
Over the past decades, the existence of antibiotic-resistant forms of microorganisms has been worrying visitors to gyms, patients and employees of medical institutions, as well as parents of school-age children. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), which cannot be treated with traditional antibiotics, is particularly notorious. Diseases caused by this pathogen (for example, the so-called hospital pneumonia) occur in severe form and can lead to death.
A potential solution to the problem of antibiotic resistance of microbes came from a completely unexpected source – the IBM Research Center in Almaden, California. Earlier, when developing the technology for the production of microcircuits, the company's chemists identified materials that, when combined, release an electrostatic charge into polymer structures, allowing engraving on a semiconductor wafer on an exceptionally small scale.
The result of further experiments with these materials was the appearance of so-called "ninja polymers" – adhesive nanostructures, which in the conditions of the body quickly move in the direction of bacterial cells, destroy their contents, and then decompose without having a toxic effect on the surrounding healthy cells.
The mechanism of action of such bactericidal polymers is fundamentally different from antibiotics. They practically take over the functions of the immune system – they attach to the bacterial membrane and trigger its destabilization. As a result, the membrane breaks up into fragments, and the cellular contents fall out.
How this happens is shown in the comic, understandable even without knowledge of English:
Experts believe that bacteria have almost no chance of acquiring resistance to these polymers. In addition to being used as drugs for the treatment of infectious diseases, the developers propose to use their polymers as additives in cleaning products designed to treat not only operating rooms and other medical facilities, but also domestic premises, such as kitchens. Cleaning agents based on antibacterial polymers will make it possible to neutralize even the most resistant microorganisms without the use of chemical compounds that are dangerous to human health or damage the coatings being cleaned. Ninja polymers can also replace components of deodorants, antibacterial wet wipes, toothpastes and other personal hygiene products that are potentially toxic to humans and the environment.
Currently, IBM Research is exploring opportunities for cooperation with companies producing consumer goods and food.
Evgeniya Ryabtseva
Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru based on IBM Research: Plastic 'ninjas' take on deadly bacteria.
12.07.2012