Superbugs are pathogenic bacterias resistant to many antibiotics. Multi-resistant bacteria cause worldwide more than 750,000 deaths per year and it is estimated that by 2050 they will cause around 300 million premature deaths. Will be they then responsible for the next pandemic?
3D animations services can help to explain what is a superbug, understand the molecular mechanism under the development of antibiotic resistance, and visualize attractively these microscopic organisms.
How can bacteria get antibiotic resistance?
Bacteria usually become resistant to antibiotics due to genetic mutations (often transferred to other bacteria by horizontal gene transfer). These genetic mutations cause then antibiotic resistance through many mechanisms:
- Antibiotic inactivation: some bacteria can produce enzymes that inactivate and degrade the antibiotic before reaching its target.
- Modification of the antibiotic target: these microorganisms can also structurally modify the target of the antibiotic and, therefore, hinder the activity of the drug.
- Structural modifications of the bacteria: in some cases, bacteria modify the composition or structure of their membrane to avoid the entrance or facilitate the expulsion of the antibiotic.
In this 3D animation clip it is represented how antibiotics are not effective against Superbacteria.
Which are the future approaches to fight against Superbugs?
- Early detection of multi-resistant infections: performing antibiotic-sensibility tests before prescribing generic drugs will help to reduce the abuse of non-effective antibiotics against multi-resistant infections.
- Finding of new antimicrobial molecules: small proteins called antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and metal nanoparticles (MNPs) have recently demonstrated their high effectivity against multi-drug resistant bacteria. The main advantages of these new antimicrobial molecules are their potent antimicrobial activity in low doses, rapid bacterial death action, and low resistance selection.
- Phage therapy: bacteriophages are viruses that can specifically infect pathogenic bacteria. Thus, phage therapy is a promising approach for treating multi-drug resistant bacterial infections with few side effects.
In the following 3D animation clip we can visualize how bacteriophages infect bacteria. Once attached to the bacterial surface, the virus injects its genetic material inside the bacterium to create new virions. Finally, the bacterium will die by apoptosis releasing the new virions that will be able to infect other bacteria.
How can 3DforScience help to visualize pathogenic microorganisms?
3DforScience is a scientific communication company specialized in visual content for the life science sector. We are a passionate creative team of scientists, marketers, artists, and animators with a shared aim: to help you improve your scientific communication with innovative and unique creative solutions.
We can help to boost your scientific communication capabilities within the molecular microbiology field by designing unique creative solutions such as 3D animation videos or illustrations.
Would you like to bring your scientific messaging to life? Contact us. We would be pleased to provide you with a unique creation.
