Researchers turn to develop new antibiotics from seaweeds

British researchers are trying to use the antimicrobial properties of seaweeds from the country's coastline to develop a new generation of antibiotics in a bid to fight the growing threat of resistant superbugs. Antibiotic resistance is a serious and growing global problem. A previous World Health Organization (WHO) report stated that it is "now a major threat to public health". As the number of multidrug-resistant bacteria, also known as superbug, rises, there is an urgent need for new drugs that can be used to treat infections when others fail. Natural environments can be a rich source of antibiotics. A research team from the University of Exeter are trying to uncover properties that could form the basis for a new generation of antibiotics that can curb infections caused by superbugs, such as MRSA, Xinhua reported.

Source: Michiel Vos, University of Exeter, 2015.