Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Cells, Microbes & Viruses => Topic started by: thedoc on 08/05/2013 18:34:56

Title: Can breast milk cure infections?
Post by: thedoc on 08/05/2013 18:34:56

HAMLET, a protein in human breastmilk, re-sensitises antibiotic-resistant bacteria to old antibiotics.

Read the whole story on our  website by clicking here (http://www.thenakedscientists.com/HTML/news/news/1000168/)

  

Title: Re: Can breast milk cure infections?
Post by: CliffordK on 08/05/2013 19:41:24

it is unclear whether HAMLET is making a permanent change to the methicillin resistant bacteria, or more likely just working in synergy with the antibiotic, only while HAMLET is in the system.  Nonetheless, it sounds like it has remarkable potential?

How is it administered?  One normally drinks milk orally, however, proteins often are highly degraded by the digestive system.

Oh, another thought.

Bacteria are often given recombinant DNA such as the insulin producing DNA to make proteins that then can be used in medicine.  Will it be possible to create proteins that would otherwise be lethal to bacteria using bacteria to produce them?

Perhaps one would have to try the same process with eukaryotes such as amoebas or algae. 

Title: Re: Can breast milk cure infections?
Post by: cheryl j on 09/05/2013 15:31:35

Quote from: CliffordK on 08/05/2013 19:41:24

How is it administered?  One normally drinks milk orally, however, proteins often are highly degraded by the digestive system.

Could whatever is in breast milk be affecting the bacteria in the mouth/upper respiratory area and not through the digestive tract?