A Breakthrough in Antibiotic Resistance: Discovering Bailey

Germs, such as bacteria and fungi, are constantly developing the ability to resist drugs designed to fight them off.​ These microbes have adapted their environment and through mutations and selection have learned to resist the effects of the given antibiotic medication. As pathogens are exposed to the same antibiotic medications, their resistance to them becomes greater and the ability for the medications becomes futile. Antibiotic resistance ensures the treatment and rapid spreading of infection to be possible and therefore has become harder for medical professionals to diagnose and treat. Throughout many years, scientists have worked to uncover microbes that can lead to the discovery of new bacteria that further helps aid in medication development such as antibiotics. Research regarding the discovery of new microbes always renders them useful. Throughout the course of this semester our microbiology class has contributed to collecting many microbial species through a soil sample to identify candidates important to antibiotic screening. Through careful examination and dilution of the soil, I was able to discover 11 different microbial species. Within these promising candidates, I found 1 that portrayed a possible antibiotic breakthrough. Bailey, the name of my microbial candidate, inhibited 4 of the 6 ESCAPE relative bacteria.