http://www2.polskieradio.pl/eo/dokument.aspx?iid=120057

Polish doctor discovers new antibiotic

17.11.2009
Dr. Jolanta Solecka, a microbiologist at the National Institute of Public Health in Warsaw, has discovered a new strain of antibiotics that could be used to fight bacteria that causes staph infections.

The Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, also known as 'golden cluster seed' is the most frequent cause of staph infections and is highly resistant to antibiotics. Dr. Solecka says that she was searching for a new beta-lactic bacteria when she stumbled upon a substance of an entirely new composition that significantly slows the growth of highly infective bacteria.

“Many antibiotics are produced from actinobacteria, but the method of having discovered this new substance is unique and has not yet been documented in medical literature,” says Dr. Solecka.

The National Institute of Public Health has announced that Solecka's discovery has been recognized by the European Commission and the doctor received a 6 million zloty (1.5 million euro) grant to continue research, a sum that the Institute says is rarely bestowed except to fund unique discoveries. (mmj)