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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
Science
Donna Lu

Australian oysters’ blood could hold key to fighting drug-resistant superbugs, researchers find

Sydney rock oyster
A protein in the blood of the Sydney rock oyster could be effective at killing bacteria, Australian researchers discover. Photograph: Paris Spellson/Alamy

An antimicrobial protein found in the blood of an Australian oyster could help in the fight against superbugs, new research suggests.

Australian scientists have discovered that a protein found in the haemolymph – the equivalent of blood – of the Sydney rock oyster, Saccostrea glomerata, can kill bacteria itself and increase the effectiveness of some conventional antibiotics.

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