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The University of the South Pacific’s, Institute of Applied Sciences Natural Products Unit has another new discovery, a cyclic polypeptide (six amino acids attached in a ring). This was produced by a marine bacterium grown from a sediment sample collected from the Nasese area of Suva. The chemical is new to science and very powerful in killing “resistant” bacteria that most current antibiotics cannot kill. These bacteria are especially dangerous in hospitals where wounded people can be affected. Medicines from marine bacteria are especially attractive as many are new and a large amount of the chemical can be grown by the fermentation method. Having a large amount of this new chemical, called Fijimycin, has allowed tests to show it is safe when fed to lab mice. This chemical has the potential for patenting and drug development. Under the agreement with the Fiji government, any commercial benefits are shared with the government and used for marine management activities. For more information, contact Professor Bill Aalbersberg on email aalbersberg@usp.ac.fj or telephone, 3232964
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