Scientists discover new antibiotic from breast milk

Scientists have developed a new antibiotic from human breast milk. The British team from London's National Physical Laboratory have developed the new drug which can wipe out drug-resistant bacteria, it is claimed. The protein, called lactoferrin, effectively kills bacteria, fungi and even viruses on contact.

The breakthrough, by the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) and University College London, found that the minuscule fragment, less than a nanometre in width, is responsible for giving the protein its anti-microbial properties. This is what makes breast milk so important in protecting infants from disease in their first months of life. The protein, called lactoferrin, effectively kills bacteria, fungi and even viruses on contact. After identifying the fragment, scientists re-engineered it into a virus-like capsule that can recognise and target specific bacteria and damage them on contact, but without affecting any surrounding human cells.

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Scientists discover new antibiotic from breast milk 

Source: The Quardian