Antibiotic 'megacluster' discovery provides new strategy to fight superbugs

Researchers at McMaster University discovered a "megacluster" of genes in Streptomyces bacteria that produces four antibiotics working together to stop rival bacteria. The four molecules target a single vulnerability: biotin, an essential nutrient required by most bacteria for survival. Testing in animal models found that two of the compounds were highly effective against multidrug-resistant E. coli, suggesting therapeutic potential for combating drug-resistant infections.

Source: Ars Technica | 2026-06-26