A bacteria, which is only found on Las Torpederas Beach in Valparaíso, could be a possible solution to this problem that worries scientists more every day.
The doctor of science and researcher at the Biotechnology Center “Dr. Daniel Alkalay Lowitt”, from the University of Vala, Fernanda Claverías, is researching a bacterial group on Las Torpederas beach in Valparaíso that could lead to the creation of new antibiotics for use in humans.
The curiosity of the group of bacteria “Actinomycetotas” began several years ago and their work has allowed them to discover a new species of bacteria which they named “Spiractinospora alimapuensis”. The expert points out that “the majority of antibiotics of bacterial origin that we use today for human health come from Actinomycetota that produce this type of compounds.”
Although it cannot be assured that this marine bacteria does not exist elsewhere, there are no records of it having been isolated anywhere else in the world. The researcher’s work, therefore, has been to decipher what the environmental adaptations are for this type of bacteria to spread specifically in Valparaíso, given that it is “an alkalophilic and halotolerant bacteria. That means that they like alkaline and non-acidic pH conditions better. It can grow without salt, but grows best in conditions with higher salinity. And that also gives us a clue that it is probably very adapted to the marine environment because the sea is slightly alkaline.”
Deciphering the genome
The researcher explains that the projections are to know the genetics of this bacteria and perform the cultures to see if there is any antibiotic component. “We do the genome analysis to see if they produce compounds that can be bioactive or antibiotics in this case.”
In this way, it is predicted whether or not there is a new compound that has this antibiotic potential. “In the case of my research, in this bacteria I have not found any known antibiotic, however, what I have been able to see through bioinformatics are potential compounds that would have very interesting modifications on which I am focusing to see if, indeed, there is antimicrobial activity, or even antitumor activity,” explains Claverías. Once this work is completed, its viability and application in humans can be seen given the high demand for new antibiotics due to the growing resistance that has been generated.
