The new finding adds to a growing body of evidence that animals produce a variety of natural antibiotics that serve as a defense against infection.
Using standard laboratory methods to test the various layers of the tongue, they readily found several natural antibiotics.
And working inside each neutrophil is a potent brew of natural antibiotics that scientists only lately have identified and begun to understand.
Several natural antibiotics are also macrocyclic and work by metal binding.
By studying the chemical structure of natural antibiotics, scientists have begun to learn which components are most effective against microbes.
Squalamine is the second new family of natural antibiotics that Dr. Zasloff has discovered.
Scientists, aided by newer technologies, have used natural antibiotics to create synthetic ones.
Some lichen produce natural antibiotics that kill bacteria.
Humans have used these compounds as natural antibiotics.
He works with an important class of natural antibiotics called polyketides that have generated dozens of drugs, including erythromycin.