Searching For Bacteria in Iceland

The antibiotic resistance crisis has threatened the treatment and prevention of infections caused by bacteria, viruses and fungi. As new antibiotics are discovered and developed, bacteria evolve so that they can survive antibiotic treatment. This evolution has allowed common infections to become deadly. Effective antibiotics are needed to treat infections as well as increase the success of major surgeries as well as chemotherapy.

Scientists are now searching across the world for new and effective antibiotics. Scientists collect tubes full of bacteria from the waters of Iceland in hopes that they will find something new. Because antibiotics are created in nature, scientists hope that by searching in extreme environments they will discover the next miracle drug.

Sources: Science Museum