Hope of a small solution to a big problem

摘要

Developed by researchers at the Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology in Singapore, it is hoped that the approach could provide an entirely novel way to combat infection. Yiyan Yang, head of the research group explains the work; "Our oligopeptide has a unique chemical structure that forms nanoparticles with membrane-penetrating components on their surface," Yang said. "These nanoparticles can easily enter bacteria, yeast or fungal cells and destabilize them to cause cell death. For example, the nanoparticles cause damage to bacteria cell walls and prevent further bacterial growth".