War on terror cells: Creating antibiotics from pests

The University of Derby is at the forefront of many research fields, including human health and disease. Dr Naveed Khan, Professor of Biomedical Science, and his team are investigating the gut microbiome of pests such as cockroaches to see if they can create a new antibiotic to treat medical conditions. This innovative research will take place in our state-of-the-art facilities including the OMICS laboratory and insectary, and the brand-new Bioscience Superlab, once it opens late 2025.

Research focus

Bacterial infections are the cause of more than 15 million deaths around the world, every year. We contract infections from others due to poor hygiene or polluted environments. Scientists at the University are turning their attention to species who thrive in the dirtiest places on earth and in close proximity to humans, such as cockroaches. Our experts believe that these creatures must have potent defence mechanisms against superbugs that help them not only survive, but flourish, in the most polluted environments.

Research findings

Findings from our research suggest that cockroaches have numerous molecules that successfully kill superbugs including MRSA. These molecules do not show any adverse effects on human cells meaning they are safe to progress with. The discoveries made in our facilities have piqued the interest of the wider scientific community and generated significant public interest.

Further testing

The world is currently facing an increased threat of infectious diseases and new superbugs are emerging at an alarming rate. This means that our vital human health research matters now more than ever and has the potential to save millions of lives.

Laboratory tests revealed strong antimicrobial agents in cockroach however, further clinical testing will allow the verification of their efficacy and impact. There are two logical explanations for these findings; (i) species living in polluted environments have evolved a strong immune system to counter bacterial infections and/or (ii) the gut bacteria of these species produce antimicrobial molecule(s).

Our studies support both rationales, having successfully identified potent antimicrobial properties in the lysates and showed that the gut microflora of cockroaches produce substances to thwart bacterial infections. This work taking place in Derby will pave the way in our so-called ‘war on terror cells’ i.e. infection agents. There have been previous research studies which focus on soil microbes as sources of active metabolites, but our own breakthrough of antibacterials from gut microbiota of pests living in polluted environments is a promising parallel avenue of research.

The next phase of this exciting project is to test potential molecules against bacterial infections.

Researchers

Dr Naveed Khan has conducted this research in collaboration with R. Siddiqui (Heriot-Watt University), S. Maciver (University of Edinburgh), M. Stins (Johns Hopkins University) and R. Shah (University of Karachi).