Nervous system fights drug-resistant microbes: cockroach
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portrait of a cockroach / David Chao / License
Nervous system tissues of cockroaches protect them from drug-resistant microbes via unique antimicrobial chemicals.
| Biomimicry Taxonomy | |
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Maintain physical integrity > |
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Protect from biotic factors > |
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Microbes |
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"A study of locust and cockroach brains has found a number of chemicals which can kill bugs like MRSA.
"Scientists hope these could become a powerful new weapon to boost the dwindling arsenal of antibiotics used to treat severe bacterial infections…
"The researchers discovered nine different chemicals in the brains of locusts and cockroaches, which all had anti microbrial properties strong enough to kill 90% of MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) while not harming human cells." (Rutherford 2010)
Blattidae
Organism/taxonomy data provided by:
Species 2000 & ITIS Catalogue of Life: 2008 Annual Checklist
Application Ideas: Novel antibiotics for treating drug-resistant infections
Industrial Sector(s) interested in this strategy: Medicine
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