October 21, 2019
The mucosal membranes of our body comprise of more than 200 square meters of surface area that protect our bodies. It was once thought that their only purpose was to create a physical barrier that trapped invading bacteria and viruses, but we now know they also serve another important function.
Researchers from MIT have been investigating the amazing properties of mucus and have discovered it has a microbe taming ability. Mucus contains hundreds of different types of branched sugar molecules called glycans. The team discovered that these glycans are able to disrupt the way bacteria are able to communicate with one another and attaching to human cells. By taming the more dangerous behavior of microbes the glycans in mucus can render the bacterial invaders harmless.
Glycan’s ability to interrupting the bacteria’s ability produce biofilms and produce toxins will require further investigation. If researchers are able to create novel ways to neutralize bacteria without killing them, it may help break the cycle of antibiotic resistance.
Source: Science Daily
Read more: http://ow.ly/nQF950wN22z
