Alligator Blood May Be Source of New Antibiotics

[Science News]

esocid writes "Biochemists from McNeese State University have described how proteins in gator blood may provide a source of powerful new antibiotics to help fight infections associated with diabetic ulcers and severe burns. This new class of drug could also crack so-called 'superbugs' that are resistant to conventional medication. Previous studies have showed alligators have an unusually strong immune system; unlike humans, alligator immune systems can defend against microorganisms such as fungi, viruses, and bacteria without having prior exposure to them. Scientists believe that this is an evolutionary adaptation to promote quick wound healing, as alligators are often injured during fierce territorial battles."
Read more of this story (http://science.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=08/04/08/1351212&from=rss) at Slashdot.
http://rss.slashdot.org/~a/Slashdot/slashdotScience?i=T20spw</img> (http://rss.slashdot.org/~a/Slashdot/slashdotScience?a=T20spw)
http://rss.slashdot.org/~r/Slashdot/slashdotScience/~4/266407581

Alligator Blood May Be Source of New Antibiotics (http://rss.slashdot.org/~r/Slashdot/slashdotScience/~3/266407581/article.pl)

[Raven]

This is called taking a bite outta of the bug. :rofl:

[Kaos]

Pretty crazy that alligators are so evolved in this way. Not one of the animals I would have thought about as 'evolved' for some reason.