Research team at IIT-Roorkee discovers new antibacterial molecule

Roorkee: Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee, discovered a new antibacterial small molecule -- IITR00693, that could help fight against drug-resistant infections.

The molecule showed potent antibacterial activity against a wide range of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, including some of the most problematic drug-resistant strains. IITR00693 acts like a dual sword as it not only strikes down the most stubborn bacteria but also prevents the emergence of resistance, ensuring effectiveness for generations to come.

The research was led by Prof Ranjana Pathania of the department of Biosciences and Bioengineering at IIT Roorkee along with Mahak Saini, and Amit Gaurav from IIT Roorkee; Ashish Kothari, and Balram Ji Omar from AIIMS, Rishikesh; Varsha Gupta, from Government Medical College and Hospital, Chandigarh; and Amitabha Bhattacharjee, Assam University.

Pathania said, "We aimed to identify a small molecule that can enhance currently used antibiotics. IITR00693, a novel antibacterial small molecule, potentiates the antibacterial activity of Polymyxin B against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. We probed the mode of action of this interaction and the molecule's capability to combat soft-tissue infections caused by S aureus and P aeruginosa." The findings were published in the American Chemical Society journal -- ACS Infectious Diseases and featured on the cover page.