Umeå Researchers Uncover New Molecules to Combat Chlamydia
Umeå University researchers find new molecules that kill chlamydia bacteria, promising better treatment options.
Key Points
- • Researchers at Umeå University discovered molecules that target chlamydia bacteria.
- • Chlamydia is the most common bacterial STI, with around 130 million cases annually.
- • The identified molecules do not harm human cells or beneficial bacteria.
- • The findings were published in the journal PLoS Biology.
Researchers at Umeå University have made a groundbreaking discovery of new molecules that can effectively kill chlamydia bacteria, a significant development given that chlamydia is the most common bacterial sexually transmitted infection worldwide, with an estimated 130 million cases annually. The study, conducted in collaboration with American scientists, identifies over 60 molecules capable of selectively targeting and eliminating chlamydia without adversely affecting human cells or beneficial bacteria.
Barbara Sixt, a docent at Umeå University’s Department of Molecular Biology, emphasized the significance of this breakthrough, stating, "This is important as the antibiotics we have today cause extensive harm even to good bacteria." This research points towards the potential for more sustainable antibiotic treatments to tackle this widespread infection.
Chlamydia behaves in a manner akin to viruses, invading human cells and modifying their functions to facilitate its reproduction. The newly identified molecules offer a promising avenue for developing improved treatment options. While the researchers acknowledge that further work is needed before a new treatment can be rolled out, the findings represent a hopeful step forward in the fight against antibiotic-resistant infections. These results were published in the scientific journal PLoS Biology on May 24, 2025.