What is NOT a Novel Idea for New Antibiotic Drug

Question

What is NOT a novel idea for new antibiotic drug development?
A) interfering with quorum-sensing mechanisms
B) "corking" the type II secretion apparatus
C) use of photosensitive chemicals to generate reactive oxygen species
D) chemical modification of beta-lactams
E) use of nanotubes to poke holes in bacterial membranes

Accepted Answer

Chemical modification of beta-lactams is not a novel idea for new antibiotic drug development. Beta-lactams have been widely used as antibiotics since their discovery in the 1940s, and researchers have been modifying and developing new derivatives of beta-lactams for many years.

Other options are novel ideas for new antibiotic drug development. For example, interfering with quorum-sensing mechanisms involves disrupting the ability of bacteria to communicate with each other and coordinate their behavior, which could prevent them from causing infections. "Corking" the type II secretion apparatus involves blocking a mechanism that many bacteria use to secrete toxins and virulence factors, which could make them less harmful. Using photosensitive chemicals to generate reactive oxygen species involves using light to activate compounds that can damage bacterial cells, which is a relatively new approach to antibiotic development. Using nanotubes to poke holes in bacterial membranes involves using nanotechnology to physically disrupt the structure of bacterial cells, which is also a novel approach.