By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, July 12: A promising nature-based solution to combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria, known as antimicrobial peptides (AMP), has been discovered in the genomes of algae collected in Sarawak.
The Sarawak Biodiversity Centre (SBC) is collaborating with Thailand’s National Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), part of the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), on this research.
“AMP are derived from proteins translated from the DNA sequences in the genomes of algae. This joint effort aims to uncover valuable genetic traits that could be harnessed for innovative biotechnological applications, including pharmaceuticals and biologics against deadly pathogens.
“Under the collaboration, BIOTEC will utilise their expertise in genomic screening technologies and bioinformatics tools, while SBC provides the genomes of algae from its library,” said SBC in a statement today.
BIOTEC Biochemical Engineering and System Biology Research Group Principal Researcher, Biosciences and System Biology Team Leader and Assistant Research Group Director, Dr Apiradee Hongsthong said hidden valuable information is aligned within genome sequences, and their AI-based platform for bioactive peptide identification and prediction can extract such information.
“During the first period of this partnership, we are looking forward to effectively utilise Sarawak’s native microalgae to make new product(s) to fight antibiotics resistant problems due to overuse of antibiotics, which would have a direct impact on the environment, human health and economy,” she added.
Meanwhile, SBC chief executive officer Dato Dr Yeo Tiong Chia said the World Health Organisation (WHO) identified antimicrobial resistance as one of the top global health challenges of the 21st centure.
He said the collaboration between SBC and BIOTEC is their response to a Global Action Plan that emphasises the crucial need to effectively combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR) especially when algae and other biological resources in Sarawak are naturally occurring in biodiversity that can be explored. — DayakDaily
