Will panda blood solve the antibiotic crisis? Unlikely.
There’s a story going round about Chinese scientists who have discovered a “powerful antibiotic” in the blood of the giant panda. It seems to have originated in the Daily Telegraph, where Richard Gray wrote:
“Researchers discovered the compound, known as cathelicidin-AM, after analysing the panda’s DNA… Dr Xiuwen Yan, who led the research at the Life Sciences College of Nanjing Agricultural University in China, said: “It showed potential antimicrobial activities against wide spectrum of microorganisms including bacteria and fungi, both standard and drug-resistant strains. Under the pressure of increasing microorganisms with drug resistance against conventional antibiotics, there is urgent need to develop new type of antimicrobial agents.“
Let me put this plainly: If this discovery actually leads to a new antibiotic—one that is actually used in the clinic to treat real people—I will eat a panda.
(Actually, that sounds bad. A man in a panda suit. Wait, still not good. A stick of bamboo. You get the point.)
Stories like these are a dime a dozen. Scientists have discovered a new antibiotic, hundreds of new antibiotics, thousands of new antibiotics, in panda blood, in alligator blood, in cockroach brains, in ocean mould, in frog skin, in frog skin, and in yet more frog skin. All are billed as potential sources of bold new treatments that will solve our antibiotic crisis, and provide new weapons against drug-resistant superbugs like MRSA.
And yet, despite decades of such claims, none of these sources has yielded a single marketable drug. We’re still sitting in the drug discovery doldrums, with just one class of new antibiotics in the last 50 years. We are running out of ideas, bacteria are becoming increasingly resistant to our frontline drugs, and nothing is coming in to fill the gap.
In a new piece for The Scientist, I discuss why panda blood and frog skin are of academic interest only, and unlikely to solve this problem. Head over there to get the details.
For now, I’ll clarify that, obviously, there’s an outside chance that one of these sources will lead to a new drug. But there’s a huge gulf between finding a substance that kills bacteria in a dish and actually creating a new drug that works in real people. These stories are being hyped too early by press offices, covered too uncritically by journalists, and maybe even published too readily by journals.
As one of the scientists I spoke to said: “A reasonable starting point for any story worthy of publishing is to have an effective compound in a systemic mouse model of infection. Once you cross that barrier, then it makes sense to talk about it.”
So, if Substance X can actually treat bacterial infections in a sick mouse, let’s hear about it. Otherwise, you’re just promoting red herrings in the shape of pandas.
Related Topics
Go Further
Animals
- How can we protect grizzlies from their biggest threat—trains?How can we protect grizzlies from their biggest threat—trains?
- This ‘saber-toothed’ salmon wasn’t quite what we thoughtThis ‘saber-toothed’ salmon wasn’t quite what we thought
- Why this rhino-zebra friendship makes perfect senseWhy this rhino-zebra friendship makes perfect sense
- When did bioluminescence evolve? It’s older than we thought.When did bioluminescence evolve? It’s older than we thought.
- Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?
Environment
- Are the Great Lakes the key to solving America’s emissions conundrum?Are the Great Lakes the key to solving America’s emissions conundrum?
- The world’s historic sites face climate change. Can Petra lead the way?The world’s historic sites face climate change. Can Petra lead the way?
- This pristine piece of the Amazon shows nature’s resilienceThis pristine piece of the Amazon shows nature’s resilience
- Listen to 30 years of climate change transformed into haunting musicListen to 30 years of climate change transformed into haunting music
History & Culture
- Meet the original members of the tortured poets departmentMeet the original members of the tortured poets department
- Séances at the White House? Why these first ladies turned to the occultSéances at the White House? Why these first ladies turned to the occult
- Gambling is everywhere now. When is that a problem?Gambling is everywhere now. When is that a problem?
- Beauty is pain—at least it was in 17th-century SpainBeauty is pain—at least it was in 17th-century Spain
Science
- Here's how astronomers found one of the rarest phenomenons in spaceHere's how astronomers found one of the rarest phenomenons in space
- Not an extrovert or introvert? There’s a word for that.Not an extrovert or introvert? There’s a word for that.
- NASA has a plan to clean up space junk—but is going green enough?NASA has a plan to clean up space junk—but is going green enough?
- Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?
Travel
- Dina Macki on Omani cuisine and Zanzibari flavoursDina Macki on Omani cuisine and Zanzibari flavours
- How to see Mexico's Baja California beyond the beachesHow to see Mexico's Baja California beyond the beaches
- Could Mexico's Chepe Express be the ultimate slow rail adventure?Could Mexico's Chepe Express be the ultimate slow rail adventure?