Interesting developments in the front against 'superbugs' (antibiotic-resistant bacteria). The UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulation Agency and London's Barts Hospital Trust have devised a rapid DNA sequencing programme. It will speed the identification of the strains of bacteria a patient has been infected by, to around 48 hours. This means better selection of the antibiotics used in treatment (https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/mar/06/uk-scientists-develop-dna-sequencing-system-to-fight-superbugs}. Elsewhere, studies in Israel's Weizmann Institute of Science have identified a new function of proteasomes. Proteasomes are tiny cellular organelles that degrade and recycle proteins. The Weizmann workers found that, during protein breakdown, proteasomes produce antimicrobial peptides (small amino acid sequences). These can kill bacteria and viruses, enhancing the body's innate (inherited and immediately active) immune responses. It's likely proteasomes can offer new treatments against antibiotic-resistant bacteria and viral infections (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cpv4jww3r4eo). More weapons in medicine's armamentarium against the superbugs? Additionally, it may be of interest to some folk, to note that, before he became the first President of Israel, Weizmann was Professor of Chemistry in my native Manchester. He helped develop war-time manufacture of cordite.
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