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Posted: 4th January 2013

Panda blood kills bacteria in one hour
Antibacterial compound found in giant pandas

New research has found that giant panda blood contains a compound that kills bacteria in less than one hour, which is six times quicker than well-known antibiotics.

Scientists at the Life Sciences College of Nanjing Agricultural University in China were analysing panda DNA when they came across the blood's primary component, cathelicidin-AM.

The scientists suspect the powerful component is present in order to boost giant pandas' immune systems and protect them from infections when living in the wild.

Xiuwen Yan, who led the research, explained that giant panda blood "showed potential antimicrobial activities against wide spectrum of microorganisms including bacteria and fungi, both standard and drug-resistant strains".

The team has been able decode panda genes to form a molecule called a peptide, allowing them to produce cathelicidin-AM in the laboratory. This means the compound can be supplied without the need to extract blood from giant pandas.

Yan continued: "Under the pressure of increasing microorganisms with drug resistance against conventional antibiotics, there is urgent need to develop new type of antimicrobial agents.

"Gene-encoded antimicrobial peptides play an important role in innate immunity against noxious microorganisms. They cause much less drug resistance of microbes than conventional antibiotics."

The new discovery is said to reflect the importance of all species, particularly as they may hold they key to solving pressing health issues in both animals and humans. It is reported that there are only 1,600 pandas left living in the wild.



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