UC San Diego scientists discover ‘anthracimycin’, compound that kills anthrax, MRSA

Researchers from Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego have discovered a compound from a microbe from the ocean that shows lethality against such bacterial pathogens as anthrax and MRSA and may set the stage for treatments against these microorganisms.

Image/Video Screen Shot

As reported in the German journal Angewandte Chemie, the research team led by William Fenical at Scripps initially collected the microorganism, a Streptomyces, that produces the compound in 2012 from sediments close to shore off Santa Barbara, Calif. 

Working in tandem with Trius Therapeutics in San Diego, they deciphered the unusual structure of a molecule from the bacterium and named it anthracimycin.

“The real importance of this work is the fact that anthracimycin has a new and unique chemical structure,” said Fenical, who added that the finding is a basic research discovery, which could lead to testing and development, and eventually a drug. “The discovery of truly new antibiotic compounds is quite rare. This discovery adds to many previous discoveries that show that marine bacteria are genetically and chemically unique.”

The researchers say that this discovery, is just the latest evidence retrieved from the oceans that show the untapped potential of new materials found under the sea that could one day treat human disease.

Scripps News release

For more infectious disease news and information, visit and “like” the Infectious Disease News Facebook page

Looking for a job in health care? Check here to see what’s available