A study conducted by Romanian scientists showed that the strain Psychrobacter SC65A.3, which has adapted to cold conditions, is resistant to more than 10 modern antibiotics, including rifampicin, vancomycin, ciprofloxacin, trimethoprim, clindamycin, and metronidazole. This strain contains over 100 genes associated with resistance and can suppress the growth of various "superbugs."
In the course of the study, the scientists isolated various strains of bacteria from ice cores, sequenced their genomes, and tested their resistance to 28 antibiotics from 10 classes used to treat bacterial infections in humans. The genome of Psychrobacter SC65A.3 also contained nearly 600 genes with unknown functions and 11 genes capable of suppressing the growth of bacteria, fungi, and viruses, as well as enzymes that may be useful in the field of biotechnology.
These ancient microorganisms confirm that antibiotic resistance arose naturally long before the advent of modern medicines. Strains capable of surviving in harsh conditions can function as reservoirs of resistance genes that can be transferred to other bacteria.
This discovery highlights a dual potential. On one hand, the melting of ancient ice may lead to the release of these resistant genes, exacerbating the problem of global antibiotic resistance. On the other hand, bacteria produce unique enzymes and antimicrobial compounds that could serve as the basis for new medical drugs and biotechnological solutions.
Dr. Cristina Purcarea from the Bucharest Institute of Biology noted that studying ancient bacteria is of great interest to science and medicine; however, it requires strict safety measures in laboratories to prevent their uncontrolled spread.
