Ancient antimicrobial peptides outperformed modern human versions against drug-resistant bacteria, study finds
GS3Economy · S&T · Environment · Security· Biotechnology & health research· Prelims·
Evolutionary biology and protein reconstruction: a GS3 Science & Technology application for tackling antimicrobial resistance.
Why in news
University of Oregon researchers published a study in PLOS Biology finding that reconstructed ancestral lactoferrin proteins outperformed modern human versions against drug-resistant bacteria.
Background
Researchers reconstructed ancestral lactoferrin protein sequences from 160 million years ago. The study found these ancient peptides were more effective against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Streptococcus.
Facts for Prelims
- S&TLactoferrin: A protein studied for its antimicrobial peptide properties.
- FactAncestral sequences were reconstructed from 160 million years ago.
- S&TTarget pathogens include Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Streptococcus.
Prelims practice question
Which specific bacteria were found to be susceptible to the reconstructed ancestral lactoferrin peptides?
- (a)Mycobacterium tuberculosis
- (b)Clostridium difficile
- (c)Pseudomonas aeruginosa
- (d)Vibrio cholerae
Show answer
Answer: (c) Pseudomonas aeruginosa — The study found these ancient peptides were more effective against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Streptococcus.
For Mains
Q. Discuss how evolutionary biology and ancestral protein reconstruction can contribute to the development of novel therapeutics against antimicrobial resistance.
Dimensions to cover in your answer
- Drug discovery: Utilizing evolutionary blueprints to bypass current antibiotic resistance mechanisms
- Biotech application: Potential for synthetic biology to engineer high-efficacy antimicrobial peptides
Keywords: Antimicrobial resistance · Evolutionary biology · Lactoferrin · Synthetic biology · Drug discovery
More Science & Technology notes
- Anti-cybercrime initiatives use AI to scam scammers with lifelike bots · 10 October 2026
- OpenAI and Anthropic executives privately discuss responses to potential catastrophic AI incidents · 10 October 2026
- IISc study shows white dwarfs can exceed 1.4 solar mass Chandrasekhar limit · 9 October 2026
- Indian Navy to commission Mangrol, third indigenous Anti-Submarine Warfare craft, in Mumbai · 9 October 2026
- Francis Halzen wins Physics Nobel Prize for IceCube Neutrino Observatory cosmic neutrino detections · 9 October 2026
- Tamil Nadu records 18,449 fatalities as government announces ₹500 crore Road Safety Mission · 9 October 2026
Something wrong, or something missing?
Spotted a mistake in a note, or want a topic, format or PDF that would help your preparation? Write to us. We read every mail and fix errors fast.
This note is generated automatically from SatyaDheesh's news feed and mapped to the UPSC CSE syllabus. Check facts against the original report or PIB before using them in an answer.