Controlling Bacteria Without Antibiotics

A method for controlling the activity of bacteria not with the use of antibiotics but by interfering with their communication process has been developed by an Israeli researcher.

Most human and animal diseases are associated with bacteria assembled in communities called biofilms, which attach themselves to the surfaces of live tissues, implants, and teeth. Biofilm can also be found on artificial surfaces such as water pipes and air-conditioning ducts.

Recently, it was discovered that bacteria assembled in biofilms have a network of communication among them called "quorum sensing,” which controls their collective activity or lack of activity. These sensing signals control the physiology and pathogenicity of the bacteria in biofilms. A boron-based molecule produced by these bacteria, called auto inducer-2, controls the signals in this quorum-sensing process.

Dr. Adel Jabbour, of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (Israel), has succeeded in synthesizing modified chemical compounds, resembling the structure of the natural auto inducer-2, that can disrupt the signaling. By altering the molecular structure in these compounds, Dr. Jabbour was able to show that it is possible to control the quorum sensing responses in order to "deceive” the bacteria. The modified compounds distort the signaling that sets off the bacterial changes, making it possible to seriously hamper the bacterial action, or to enhance it in cases where the bacteria are beneficial.

This control over quorum sensing provides a promising new avenue for the future treatment of bacterial pathogenic activity without having to resort to antibiotic drugs and their accompanying disadvantages. Also, enhancing quorum sensing could prove useful in agriculture, biotechnology, and the food industry, where increasing bacterial activity is sometimes a benefit.

For his work, Dr. Jabbour was presented with a Kaye Innovation Award in June 2005 during the 68th meeting of the Hebrew University Board of Governors.




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