Scientists develop compound that can kill antibiotic-resistant superbugs

British scientists say they have discovered a new compound that can kill antibiotic-resistant bacteria, including E. coli.

The compound was developed by Kirsty Smitten, a doctoral student at the University of Sheffield, and researchers are testing it on gram-negative bacteria that is resistant to antibiotics. Prof. Jim Thomas said since the compound is luminescent and glows when exposed to light, advanced microscope techniques allow researchers to follow the "uptake and effect on bacteria. .... This breakthrough could lead to vital new treatments to life-threatening superbugs and the growing risk posed by antimicrobial resistance."

Gram-negative bacteria can cause infections that are hard to treat because the cell walls are difficult to penetrate. Health organizations are concerned about the rise of more drug-resistant superbugs, and it's estimated that by 2050, more than 10 million people could die annually from antibiotic-resistant infections, ScienceDaily reports. There hasn't been a new treatment for gram-negative bacteria in five decades, and the next stage in this research is to test the compound against additional multi-resistant bacteria.

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