Frog Skin-Derived Antibacterial Agent

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have adapted the peptide magainin, originally discovered in the skin of the African clawed frog, for use as an antibacterial agent for everyday products. When the peptide backbone of magainin was replaced with an arylamide, the resulting substance remained capable of disrupting bacterial cell walls and membranes without killing animal cells. The activity of both the original and modified polymers are due to their amphiphilic nature. What this means is that one side of the molecule attracts water while the other repels it. This property allows the molecule to interact with the cell membrane. The arylamide material can be anchored into a wide variety of products, from bandages to computer keyboards. You can learn more about the new antibacterial agent by reading the article at Innovations Report.
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