Researchers from two Singapore-based research centers — the Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology of the Agency for Science, Technology and Research — have designed an antimicrobial material that can kill E. coli bacteria in next to no time, according to The Science Explorer.
The researchers linked molecules together in a chain to create a new chemical compound, imidazolium oligomers. In tests, the compound was able to penetrate E. coli's cell membrane, effectively killing 99.7 percent of the E. coli within 30 seconds.
Additionally, the compound can inhibit the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, according to lead researcher Yugen Zhang, PhD.
"This material is also safe for use because it carries a positive charge that targets the more negatively charged bacteria, without destroying red blood cells," said Dr. Zhang.
The material comes in the form of a white, water-soluble powder. To read the full study, published in Small, click here.
More articles on E. coli:
Chemistry professors work to find a weapon against the untreatable superbug
Pittsburgh hospitals focus on stewardship after 'super' superbug found in Penn.
Untreatable superbug makes its way to US for first time: 6 things to know