43 Designing an alternative to antibiotics



In 1928 a British scientist made a “chance observation1.” He noticed2 that some mold3 had grown4 in a bacterial culture plate5 in his laboratory. Molds can do that. But this mold had the ability to kill6 the bacteria around it7.

The scientist, Alexander Fleming, found8 that the mold was a member of a common group known as9 Penicillium. Fleming and two other scientists — Ernst Boris Chain and Howard Walter Florey — went on10 to win11 the Nobel Prize12 in 1945. They were honored13 “for the discovery14 of penicillin and its curative effect in various infectious diseases15.”

Other powerful16 antibiotics have been17 discovered since18 penicillin. But many antibiotics have become19 less and less20 effective21 as22 the germs they are designed to23 kill develop resistance24.

So scientists are searching for25 new ways26 to treat infections27. Now, researchers28 in Australia say they have made an important discovery. Scientists at Monash University in Melbourne believe29 an antibacterial viral protein called PlyC could be used as30 an alternative to antibiotics.

This protein was first identified as31 a possible treatment32 for infections in 1925. But the research ended following33 the discovery of antibiotics. Now, scientists have spent34 six years studying the structure of the protein. They have found how it kills the bacteria that cause sore throats35, pneumonia and streptococcal toxic shock syndrome.

Australian researchers worked with scientists at the Rockefeller University in New York and the University of Maryland. Their findings36 appear37 in the Proceedings38 of the National Academy of Sciences. Dr. Sheena McGowan of Monash University describes39 the protein as a powerful bacterial killing machine40.

She says it looks like41 a flying saucer42 carrying43 a pair of warheads44. It connects to the surface45 of the bacterium and then cuts through46 the outside47 to destroy48 it.

Sheena McGowan says it could be highly valuable49 when conditions like pneumonia do not respond to traditional treatments.She says some antibiotics are not as effective as50 they used to be51. And she urges52 that more research be done53 to develop safe drugs54 for humans.

The researchers have been studying55 PlyC’s atomic structure to try56 to develop a drug. They say they have had success57 in treating streptococcal infections in mice58. But an effective human treatment in the form of a pill59 or nasal spray may be60 at least61 10 years away62. For VOA Special English, I’m Alex Villarreal.(Adapted from a radio program broadcast 08Aug2012)

 Vocabulary
  1. chance observation = observação casual
  2. noticed = observou, notou
  3. mold = mofo
  4. had grown = tinha crescido
  5. plate = lamina
  6. kill = matar
  7. around it = ao redor dele(a)
  8. found = descobriu
  9. known as = conhecido(a) como
  10. went on = continuaram
  11. win = ganhar
  12. Nobel Prize = Prêmio Nobel
  13. They were honored = eles foram homenageados
  14. Discovery = descoberta
  15. infectious diseases = doenças infecciosas
  16. powerful = poderoso
  17. have been = tem sido
  18. since = desde
  19. have become = tem se tornado
  20. less and less = cada vez menos
  21. effective = eficiente
  22. as = à medida em que
  23. designed to = destinados a
  24. develop resistance = desenvolvem Resistencia
  25. searching for = procurando por
  26. ways = formas
  27. treat infections = tratar infecções
  28. researchers = pesquisadores
  29. believe = acreditam
  30. could be used as = poderia ser usado como
  31. identified as = identificada como
  32. treatment = tratamento
  33. following = seguindo (em seguida)
  34. spent = passaram (tempo)
  35. sore throats = dores de garganta
  36. findings = descobertas
  37. appear = aparecem
  38. Proceedings = procedimentos
  39. Describes = descreve
  40. killing machine = máquina de matar
  41. looks like = parece com
  42. flying saucer = disco voador
  43. carrying = carregando
  44. a pair of warheads = um par de ogivas nucleares
  45. surface = superficie
  46. cuts through = corta através (atravessa)
  47. outside = lado de fora
  48. destroy = destruir
  49. highly valuable = altamente valioso
  50. as effective as = tão eficiente quanto
  51. used to be = costumavam ser
  52. urges = insiste
  53. be done = seja feita
  54. drugs = medicamentos seguros
  55. have been studying = vem estudando
  56. try = tentar
  57. have had success = tem tido sucesso
  58. mice = camundongos
  59. pill = pílula, comprimido
  60. may be = pode ser
  61. at least = pelo menos
  62. Away = distante, à frente