Giant Pandacea: Endangered Chinese Bears Immune to Superbugs
Giant pandas have been found to produce a powerful antibiotic in their blood that rapidly kills pathogens. The discovery has potential applications for the treatment of superbugs and other diseases in humans.
The compound is an antimicrobial protein called cathelicidin-AM, and is thought to protect the bears from infections in the wild.
The Chinese research team re-created the chemical in the lab by studying the panda’s DNA to find the genes that produce the small protein molecule or peptide. It appears to be active against a variety of micro-organisms, including drug-resistant pathogens, and killed bacteria in less than an hour, compared with conventional antibiotics that take over six hours.
“Under the pressure of increasing micro-organisms with drug resistance against conventional antibiotics, there is urgent need to develop new type of antimicrobial agents,” study co-author Xiuwen Yan at China’s Nanjing Agricultural University told The Telegraph.
“Gene-encoded antimicrobial peptides play an important role in innate immunity against noxious microorganisms,” he continued. “They cause much less drug resistance of microbes than conventional antibiotics.”
There are thought to be only about 1,600 pandas left in the wild. Captive breeding programs have had limited success, despite huge expenditure.
Related Articles
This new finding could lead to stronger conservation efforts for the giant panda as there may be other useful substances still to be discovered in the bear’s genome.
As well as its commercial potential in treating superbugs, cathelicidin-AM could also be used to sterilize surfaces and utensils.
The Epoch Times publishes in 35 countries and in 20 languages. Subscribe to our e-newsletter.
*Republished with permission from The Epoch Times
Anyone can join.
Anyone can contribute.
Anyone can become informed about their world.
"United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.
Before It’s News® is a community of individuals who report on what’s going on around them, from all around the world. Anyone can join. Anyone can contribute. Anyone can become informed about their world. "United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.
LION'S MANE PRODUCT
Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules
Mushrooms are having a moment. One fabulous fungus in particular, lion’s mane, may help improve memory, depression and anxiety symptoms. They are also an excellent source of nutrients that show promise as a therapy for dementia, and other neurodegenerative diseases. If you’re living with anxiety or depression, you may be curious about all the therapy options out there — including the natural ones.Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend has been formulated to utilize the potency of Lion’s mane but also include the benefits of four other Highly Beneficial Mushrooms. Synergistically, they work together to Build your health through improving cognitive function and immunity regardless of your age. Our Nootropic not only improves your Cognitive Function and Activates your Immune System, but it benefits growth of Essential Gut Flora, further enhancing your Vitality.
Our Formula includes: Lion’s Mane Mushrooms which Increase Brain Power through nerve growth, lessen anxiety, reduce depression, and improve concentration. Its an excellent adaptogen, promotes sleep and improves immunity. Shiitake Mushrooms which Fight cancer cells and infectious disease, boost the immune system, promotes brain function, and serves as a source of B vitamins. Maitake Mushrooms which regulate blood sugar levels of diabetics, reduce hypertension and boosts the immune system. Reishi Mushrooms which Fight inflammation, liver disease, fatigue, tumor growth and cancer. They Improve skin disorders and soothes digestive problems, stomach ulcers and leaky gut syndrome. Chaga Mushrooms which have anti-aging effects, boost immune function, improve stamina and athletic performance, even act as a natural aphrodisiac, fighting diabetes and improving liver function. Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules Today. Be 100% Satisfied or Receive a Full Money Back Guarantee. Order Yours Today by Following This Link.
| Visits: | 1,707,193,238 |
| Stories: | 8,447,402 |
Whistler Blowers, Insiders
