https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-025-00945-z Skip to main content Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript. Advertisement Advertisement Nature * View all journals * Search * Log in * Explore content * About the journal * Publish with us * Subscribe * Sign up for alerts * RSS feed 1. nature 2. news 3. article New antibiotic that kills drug-resistant bacteria discovered in technician's garden Download PDF * NEWS * 26 March 2025 New antibiotic that kills drug-resistant bacteria discovered in technician's garden The molecule targets bacteria in a way that other drugs don't. By * Smriti Mallapaty 1. Smriti Mallapaty View author publications You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar * Twitter * Facebook * Email You have full access to this article via your institution. Download PDF Macrophotograph of a coloured pattern of Paenibacillus bacteria growing in a culture in a petri dish. A species of Paenibacillus bacteria has potent antibacterial activity against some pathogenic bacteria such as Escherichia coli.Credit: Clouds Hill Imaging Ltd/Science Photo Library Researchers have discovered a new antibiotic molecule that targets a broad range of disease-causing bacteria -- even strains resistant to commercial drugs -- and is not toxic to human cells^1. The molecule was found in soil samples collected from a laboratory technician's garden. The discovery shows that "there is terrifically interesting stuff hiding in plain sight", says Kim Lewis, a microbiologist at Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts, who was not involved in the research. "Kudos to them that they knew what to look for." [d41586-025] Podcast: New lasso-shaped antibiotic kills drug-resistant bacteria The latest molecule targets bacteria's protein-making factory, the ribosome, in a way that other antibiotic drugs don't. The ribosome is an attractive antibiotic target because bacteria don't easily develop resistance to drugs targeting the structure, adds Lewis. The search for new antibiotics is necessary because bacteria acquire resistance to existing drugs with continued use. In 2021, bacterial resistance to antimicrobial drugs was associated with 1.1 million deaths globally, a figure that could increase to 1.9 million by 2050. "The antibiotic-resistance crisis is an existential threat to medicine," says Gerry Wright, a chemical biologist at McMaster University in Hamilton, Canada, and a co-author of the study, which is published in Nature today. Garden-variety bacteria Wright and his colleagues set out to find microbes that have developed previously unknown tricks to kill pathogens. They collected soil samples in Petri dishes with growth medium and stored them for a year. The researchers then exposed the microbes from these samples to Escherichia coli, a common gut bacterium that can cause serious disease. One sample showed potent antibacterial activity -- by a species belonging to the genus Paenibacillus. [d41586-025] Expert take: Lasso-shaped molecule is a new type of broad-spectrum antibiotic Further rounds of screening, genome sequencing and structural analysis revealed that the bacterium produces a molecule that belongs to a group of peptides that form a lasso-shaped knot. These peptides are known for being robust and can probably even survive being digested. "It's a nice, really compact and incredibly robust structure," says Wright. Enjoying our latest content? Login or create an account to continue * Access the most recent journalism from Nature's award-winning team * Explore the latest features & opinion covering groundbreaking research Access through your institution or Sign in or create an account # Continue with Google # Continue with ORCiD Nature 640, 19-20 (2025) doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-025-00945-z References 1. Jangra, M. et al. Nature https://doi.org/10.1038/ s41586-025-08723-7 (2025). Article Google Scholar Download references Reprints and permissions Related Articles * Push to use antibiotics to prevent sexually transmitted infections raises concerns * [d41586-025] Powerful antibiotics discovered using AI * [d41586-025] Five ways science is tackling the antibiotic resistance crisis * [d41586-025] Antibiotic resistance is a growing threat -- is climate change making it worse? * [d41586-025] Antibiotic use in farming set to soar despite drug-resistance fears * Resistance to last-ditch antibiotic has spread farther than anticipated Subjects * Antibiotics * Medical research * Microbiology Latest on: Antibiotics A broad-spectrum lasso peptide antibiotic targeting the bacterial ribosome A broad-spectrum lasso peptide antibiotic targeting the bacterial ribosome Article 26 MAR 25 The researchers on a quest to protect the gut from antibiotics The researchers on a quest to protect the gut from antibiotics Outlook 13 FEB 25 Limited impact of Salmonella stress and persisters on antibiotic clearance Limited impact of Salmonella stress and persisters on antibiotic clearance Article 05 FEB 25 Medical research Could the shingles vaccine help to prevent dementia? Could the shingles vaccine help to prevent dementia? News & Views 02 APR 25 Bifidobacteria support optimal infant vaccine responses Bifidobacteria support optimal infant vaccine responses Article 02 APR 25 The global scientific community must keep studying LGBT+ health Correspondence 01 APR 25 Microbiology What if human blood were toxic to mosquitoes? A drug can make it so What if human blood were toxic to mosquitoes? A drug can make it so Research Highlight 02 APR 25 Bifidobacteria support optimal infant vaccine responses Bifidobacteria support optimal infant vaccine responses Article 02 APR 25 A superbug rose to the top after gaining a chemical weapon A superbug rose to the top after gaining a chemical weapon Research Highlight 26 MAR 25 Nature Careers Jobs * 5 Two Year Postdoctoral Research Contracts The Scuola Superiore Meridionale is seeking to award five two-year postdoctoral research contracts Naples (IT) Scuola Superiore Meridionale [] * Novo Nordisk Postdoctoral Research Fellowships (4 posts) We are currently recruiting four Postdoctoral Research Fellows as part of the prestigious Novo Nordisk Fellowship Programme at the University of Ox... Oxford, Oxfordshire University of Oxford [] * Postdoctoral Researcher Division of Vaccine Science at The University of Tokyo, is seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher. Tokyo (JP) The University of Tokyo * Nanjing Forestry University Recruits Metasequoia Scholars and Metasequoia Talents Worldwide Forestry Engineering, Forestry, Landscape Architecture (peak disciplines), Ecology, Agriculture and Forestry Economic Management, Design... Nanjing, Jiangsu, China Nanjing Forestry University (NFU) [] * Chief Editor, Nature Biomedical Engineering Job Title: Chief Editor, Nature Biomedical Engineering Locations: New York, Beijing or Shanghai (Hybrid Working Model) Application Deadline: April ... New York City, New York (US) Springer Nature Ltd [] Related Articles * Push to use antibiotics to prevent sexually transmitted infections raises concerns * [d41586-025] Powerful antibiotics discovered using AI * [d41586-025] Five ways science is tackling the antibiotic resistance crisis * [d41586-025] Antibiotic resistance is a growing threat -- is climate change making it worse? * [d41586-025] Antibiotic use in farming set to soar despite drug-resistance fears * Resistance to last-ditch antibiotic has spread farther than anticipated Subjects * Antibiotics * Medical research * Microbiology Advertisement Sign up to Nature Briefing An essential round-up of science news, opinion and analysis, delivered to your inbox every weekday. Email address [ ] [ ] Yes! Sign me up to receive the daily Nature Briefing email. I agree my information will be processed in accordance with the Nature and Springer Nature Limited Privacy Policy. Sign up Close Nature Briefing Sign up for the Nature Briefing newsletter -- what matters in science, free to your inbox daily. Email address [ ] Sign up [ ] I agree my information will be processed in accordance with the Nature and Springer Nature Limited Privacy Policy. Close Get the most important science stories of the day, free in your inbox. Sign up for Nature Briefing Explore content * Research articles * News * Opinion * Research Analysis * Careers * Books & Culture * Podcasts * Videos * Current issue * Browse issues * Collections * Subjects * Follow us on Facebook * Follow us on Twitter * Subscribe * Sign up for alerts * RSS feed About the journal * Journal Staff * About the Editors * Journal Information * Our publishing models * Editorial Values Statement * Journal Metrics * Awards * Contact * Editorial policies * History of Nature * Send a news tip Publish with us * For Authors * For Referees * Language editing services * Submit manuscript Search Search articles by subject, keyword or author [ ] Show results from [All journals] Search Advanced search Quick links * Explore articles by subject * Find a job * Guide to authors * Editorial policies Nature (Nature) ISSN 1476-4687 (online) ISSN 0028-0836 (print) nature.com sitemap About Nature Portfolio * About us * Press releases * Press office * Contact us Discover content * Journals A-Z * Articles by subject * protocols.io * Nature Index Publishing policies * Nature portfolio policies * Open access Author & Researcher services * Reprints & permissions * Research data * Language editing * Scientific editing * Nature Masterclasses * Research Solutions Libraries & institutions * Librarian service & tools * Librarian portal * Open research * Recommend to library Advertising & partnerships * Advertising * Partnerships & Services * Media kits * Branded content Professional development * Nature Careers * Nature Conferences Regional websites * Nature Africa * Nature China * Nature India * Nature Italy * Nature Japan * Nature Middle East * Privacy Policy * Use of cookies * Your privacy choices/Manage cookies * Legal notice * Accessibility statement * Terms & Conditions * Your US state privacy rights Springer Nature (c) 2025 Springer Nature Limited