Researchers at the University of Waterloo have unveiled a breakthrough in targeted medicine, introducing a technology capable of delivering an entire course of antibiotics in one tiny dose.
Researchers say this innovative system releases the precise amount of medication needed to fight infections, minimizing the risk of antibiotic resistance. The technology has been tested on two bacterial strains: Streptococcus pneumoniae, which causes serious conditions like meningitis and sepsis, and Gardnerella vaginalis, linked to bacterial vaginosis.
Developed by the School of Pharmacy team, the nanomedicine works by targeting bacteria at the molecular level. Unlike traditional therapies, which release drugs continuously, researchers say this technology releases antibiotics only when specific bacterial toxins are present.
This ensures patients receive just the right amount of medication, reducing the risk of side effects and combatting the global threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), according to the team of researchers.
“Ideally, the patient takes the full course of antibiotics at once, and so patients don’t need to worry about …