Recently, researchers have found that Panda could be a source of powerful new antibiotics to fight disease. After analyzing the DNA, the researchers found the compound cathelicidin-AM in the bloodstream can result in panda powerful antibiotics to kill bacteria and fungi.
Fortunately, the researchers do not depend on these rare animals to produce antibiotics. They have been able to create artificial synthesis in the laboratory by decoding a gene that produces a small molecule known as peptides.
According to Dr. Xiuwen Yan, lead author of the Life Sciences College, Nanjing Agricultural University, China, said that it showed potential antimicrobial activity against microorganisms in bacteria and fungi, so as to produce antibiotics to fight bacteria and fungi.
"Currently microorganisms continue to rise and there has been no development of antidote drugs, so it needs to develop new types of antimicrobial agents," says Yan Xiuwen, told the Daily Telegraph.
He added that the antimicrobial peptide genes from pandas can make the immune system to attack harmful microorganisms.
Able to kill bacteria
Researchers in China also found that the compound cathelicidin-AM, which is produced by immune cells in animals, can kill bacteria in less than one-jam. Antibiotics drug took more than six hours to kill.
Currently Dr. Xiuwen Yan and some researchers are examining the potential that is still hidden in the panda genome and several other animals.
"More than 1,000 antimicrobial peptides have been found in animals, plants, and microorganisms. Antimicrobial peptides are an important component in creating the immune system to fight harmful microorganisms," said Yan Xiuwen.
This new discovery has resulted in a powerful compound that can be used as a new drug. It can also strengthen efforts to preserve endangered animals panda.
