Two other superbugs identified

Link: Cambridge scientists getting to grips with new superbug - News - Academia and Research - Business Weekly.

Dr Lisa Crossman from the Sanger Institute and first author on the paper explained how the research might address these questions: "The genome sequence should help us to combat these properties. For example, if we know which proteins allow it to stick to surfaces, we could try to develop biochemical compounds that interfere with this interaction. If we understand its antibiotic resistance mechanisms, we might be able to design inhibitors that block them."

While, fortunately, Steno infections are still relatively uncommon, they are on the increase. Furthermore, there are two other organisms that, like Steno, cause infections by colonising catheters and so on, but are more common.

Dr Avison added: "Genome sequences for these two also exist, and so now we can look at what they all have in common genetically that might explain why they all behave in a similar way in the hospital."