A new antibiotic called teixobactin was discovered in January 2015 using a new technology called iCHIP. iCHIP allows single bacteria species to be isolated from soil samples and grown individually in lab conditions. This overcomes the challenge that only 1% of soil microbes can be cultured traditionally. Using iCHIP, researchers discovered teixobactin produced by the bacteria Eleftheria terrae. Teixobactin is effective against gram-positive bacteria and works by inhibiting cell wall synthesis. While further clinical trials are still needed, teixobactin has shown promise in mice. The development of iCHIP is as significant an achievement as the discovery of teixobactin, as it enables many more new antibiotics

1. A NEW
ANTIBIOTIC AFTER
25 YEARS
DR SUBHASISH DEB
BURDWAN MEDICAL COLLEGE AND HOSPITAL
DEPT. OF GENERAL MEDICINE
Dr Subhasish Deb, BMCH

2. TEIXOBACTIN
Dr Subhasish Deb, BMCH

3. Discovery in Jan 2015
Published in the journal “Nature”
This discovery is also remarkable for
another reason – development of a
technology iCHIP that can herald the
discovery of many new antibiotics
TEIXOBACTIN
Dr Subhasish Deb, BMCH

4. A single scoop of soil contains millions of
bacteria & fungi
They survive by fighting each other by
producing what we call antibiotics
PROBLEM?
Only 1% of microbes in the soil (or sea
water) can be readily grown in Lab
conditions.
HOW ICHIP WORKS?
Dr Subhasish Deb, BMCH

5. North
Eastern
University
Where KIM
LEWIS and
SALVA
EPSTEIN did
their study.
Dr Subhasish Deb, BMCH

6. A sample soil is diluted and then poured oh
the iCHIP which consists of hundreds of
small holes
It is hoped that only 1 microbe is caught in
each hole
The chip is then covered with membranes
on both sides and put back into the soil
sample.
Dr Subhasish Deb, BMCH

7. Dr Subhasish Deb, BMCH

8. The membrane contains pores that are only
large enough for chemical nutrients to flow
but small enough to block movement of
bacteria
Thus single bacteria in hole grows without
being contaminated with other bacteria in
soil
75% of the ichip bacteria can be
transferred and grown in lab. solutions
Dr Subhasish Deb, BMCH

9. One bacteria – Eleftheria terrae was found
to produce the best antibiotic –
TEIXOBACTIN
MOA:
Cell wall inhibition – attaches to essential
precursors required for cell wall synthesis.
It attacks gm+ bacteria that have thick cell
wall but no membrane as in gm-
Dr Subhasish Deb, BMCH

10. They have shown promise in mice, clinical
trials yet to be undertaken
The greatest developments of science are
often not the discoveries but the
developments that enable them. So while
teixobactin is certainly a remarkable
achievement, the new method to grow soil
bacteria in labs. is an equally important
contribution. Dr Subhasish Deb, BMCH

11. Thank YouTHANK YOU
Dr Subhasish Deb, BMCH