Scientists have discovered a new mechanism by which some antibiotics kill bacteria: by exploiting the bacteria's own toxins against them.
The research team, led by scientists from the University of East Anglia (UEA) and the University of Melbourne, studied how antibiotics called aminoglycosides target and kill the bacterium *Pseudomonas aeruginosa*.
The team found that the antibiotics cause a buildup of toxic molecules called reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the bacteria, eventually killing the cell.
What makes this discovery significant is that there is currently an urgent need for new antibiotics, as bacteria become more resistant to existing treatments worldwide.
Understanding the mechanisms by which existing antibiotics kill bacteria could help scientists design new drugs to combat antibiotic resistance.
UEA's Dr. Richard James said: "Our study reveals a new way in which antibiotics can target bacteria. By understanding how these antibiotics work, we can work toward developing new drugs to fight antibiotic resistance."
