160-million-year-old proteins show surprising power against superbugs

University of Oregon biologists have brought prehistoric proteins back to life, reconstructing molecules that date back as far as 160 million years and naturally attack microbes. The revived proteins could provide scientists with new ideas for treating antibiotic resistant infections, which have become a major global health challenge.

The work, described in a paper published in PLOS Biology on Aug. 25, traced the evolutionary history of peptides, short fragments of proteins, back to the earliest placental mammals. This broad group includes humans and nearly all mammals living today. Laboratory experiments showed that some reconstructed peptides from extinct ancestors were more effective against drug resistant bacteria than some versions found in modern species.