Battling the superbug
Bacteria taking an upper hand against human beings sounds like something from Battlestar Galactica – yet antibiotic resistant superbugs continue to kill thousands of hospital patients each year.
But the most lethal of superbugs, Staphylococcus aureus, or golden staph, may be about to meet its match. Smart State Fellow Dr Amanda Mabbett (pictured) from The University of Queensland’s School of Molecular and Microbial Sciences is working on a new and innovative approach that prevents the bug from developing and spreading.
Dr Mabbett said a major factor with a golden staph infection is its exceptional growth as a biofilm.
Biofilms are a collection of cells that form on the surface of pacemakers, artificial joints and other surgical implants. The US-based Centers for Disease Control estimate they cause over 65 per cent of hospital infections.
“Bacteria growing as biofilms are up to 1000 times more resistant to antibiotics than the same bacteria not growing as a biofilm,” Dr Mabbett said.
“It follows that if we can inhibit the biofilm growth caused by golden staph, we can develop strategies to prevent hospital infections altogether.”
Dr Mabbett has received $150,000 through a Smart State Fellowship, which is part of the Queensland Government’s $200 million Smart State Innovation Funding Program.
To complete her research, Dr Mabbett will work with the School of Molecular and Microbial Sciences at The University of Queensland, the Princess Alexandra Hospital and Queensland Health Pathology Service.
Story: Sarah Swinglehurst
Photo: Stewart Gould, The University of Queensland
Last reviewed 17 December 2007
