Scientific Discovery: Glowing Antibiotics

Marleen van Oosten and her colleagues created a glowing antibiotic that exposes bacteria. They did this by injecting fluorescent dye into a bacterial antibiotic called vancomycin. This glowing antibiotic works by getting into the cell walls of bacteria and causing the cell walls to glow under a fluorescent microscope. It does not currently work on humans because the molecules of the antibiotic may not be bright enough to be seen in a human body. However, it has been effective in detecting bacteria in rats.

This discovery is based on the basic principles of fluorescence. Molecules become fluorescent when specific dye compounds are combined to create a glowing reaction in the specific item. Van Oosten and her team were able to discover the specific fluorescent dyes needed to create this reaction in bacteria molecules.

In conclusion, this discovery will only help to identify a certain amount of infections, not all of them. It also requires further development in order to be effective in humans. However, the creation of this fluorescent antibiotic will lead to a faster diagnosis of infections, rather than performing a biopsy (which is the current option for distinguishing ordinary post-surgical swelling from an infection).

This discovery is significant because it introduces a new way to detect infections. As Niren Murthy suggests, with biopsies currently being the most common and feasible option, “a new way to detect infections is badly needed” (Reardon). The fact that this fluorescent antibiotic only makes certain bacteria glow is not necessarily a bad thing; it can help physicians narrow down the cause of an infection. This helps them to settle on the correct treatment option.

This discovery could have a major impact on the medical world. Since vancomycin and the dye are known to be safe options for humans, “Van Oosten hopes that the technique can soon be used on people.” Hopefully, this will allow physicians to identify and cure infections in humans much quicker than current science allows.

Sources:

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=glowing-antibiotics-reveal-bacterial-infections

http://www.ndt-ed.org/EducationResources/CommunityCollege/PenetrantTest/PTMaterials/whythingsfluoresce.htm