From nostrils to crocodile blood – ten surprising places to look for antibiotics

Abstract

One in ten people’s noses contain bacteria that could be the source of a powerful new antibiotic, German scientists say. Even resistant superbugs, such as MRSA and vancomycin-resistant enterococci, died when exposed to this new compound, lugdunin. Antimicrobial resistance is a major global threat, with Europe facing “Antimicrobial Armageddon” by 2025. Leading scientists predict a million deaths from untreatable infections if more new antibiotics aren’t found. So academics hunting for new drugs in unusual places such as human “snot” are on the right track. Here are ten more surprising places scientists are looking for antibiotics, from ants and cow stomachs to medieval libraries and snake blood