Welsh lichen could hold the key to new antibiotics
18 April 2013
The danger of rising levels of antibiotic resistance are well acknowledged, with the Chief Medical Officer for England, Professor Dame Sally Davies commenting that it is one of the most critical risks to the nation.
Botanist Ray Woods highlighted that the wide variety of fungi preset in Wales was an amazing natural resource. Fungi have provided a wide variety of antibiotics, and are also now being investigated for compounds which may help in the fight against a wide variety of diseases such as BSE.
I like the idea of there being a plant on a hillside in Wales that has the next cure for cancer, or the next cure for MRSA.
Professor Les Baillie and his team are actively involved in investigating the antibacterial properties of natural products such as tea and honey. He commented "Nature is a resource. What we're trying to do is find the next wonder drug from what is present in Wales already. I like the idea of there being a plant on a hillside in Wales that has the next cure for cancer, or the next cure for MRSA."
BBC News: Lichen in Wales could hold key to antibiotics resistance