Step Forward in Tuberculosis Control
New research on mycobacteria offers hope in combating the tuberculosis epidemic. The findings of microbiologist Beatriz Izquierdo Lafuente contribute to identifying new targets for antibiotics that do not develop resistance, thereby improving patient treatment.
Mycobacteria have developed a unique system to transport substrates through their protective membrane. Izquierdo Lafuente studied some of these components, which play important roles in the bacteria's pathogenicity. By understanding how this transport system works, new methods can be discovered for delivering antibiotics or identifying novel drug targets by blocking specific components of this system.
Tuberculosis Not Yet Eradicated
Tuberculosis remains prevalent in regions such as Africa, Southeast Asia, and India. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there are more than 10 million cases annually, resulting in over a million deaths. While tuberculosis is treatable, the rise of antimicrobial resistance has led to an increase in cases of resistant TB, where patients do not respond well to treatment. Therefore, research is crucial for developing new antibiotics.
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