CRISPR antibiotics: Have antibiotic-resistant superbugs finally met their match?

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  Quantumrun Foresight
• August 16, 2022

Insight summary

CRISPR technology emerges as a promising tool against antibiotic-resistant superbugs, offering precise ways to alter DNA and potentially reduce related deaths. This innovative approach is driving increased research funding and changes in pharmaceutical business models, focusing on personalized medicine and effective treatment production. However, challenges, such as the risk of bacteria developing resistance to CRISPR itself and the need for effective implementation in real-world scenarios, remain critical concerns.

CRISPR antibiotics context

A new study from the University of Manchester’s school of chemistry has found that CRISPR may serve as a potential solution to antibiotic-resistant superbugs. CRISPR technology is a type of DNA that functions as genetic scissors, allowing scientists to precisely modify other DNA or its sister molecule, RNA. Using CRISPR-associated enzymes, such as Cas9, researchers have discovered the biosynthetic pathway of an antibiotic called malonomycin, known to have antiprotozoal and antifungal activity. 

This discovery could help address the worsening struggle against antibiotic resistance and superbugs (a group of resilient bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi); both threats are forecasted to result in 10 million deaths annually by 2050. Already, at least 23,000 people die in the United States annually due to antibiotic-resistant bacteria, although some deaths are also caused by associated factors.

Meanwhile, a group of researchers from Western University in Canada have successfully used Cas9 to eliminate a species of Salmonella. By programming the Cas9 to treat the bacterium itself as the enemy, they forced Salmonella to make deadly cuts to its own genome. This advancement is a significant step forward in targeting bacteria with great accuracy.

Disruptive impact

CRISPR-based antibiotics are not yet publicly available (2022), but their potential is being explored for use in engineering medical treatments that are more effective and adaptable. For example, conventional antibiotics don’t always distinguish between good and bad bacteria, a characteristic that can sometimes be problematic. Through the application of CRISPR tech, enzymes can be programmed to kill specific pathogenic bacteria without harming the healthy microbes. 

This greater control also appeals to researchers who want to use the technology against viruses that infect humans. So far, researchers have seen success in using CRISPR to reduce the amount of some viruses by up to 300-fold. Compared to current antiviral drugs, CRISPR is easier to adjust if needed. The next step is demonstrating that CRISPR antibacterial and antiviral drugs are effective in living organisms outside the lab environment. Equally important, scientists are exploring whether these drugs will be more cost-effective than traditional therapies.

However, not everything is smooth sailing with CRISPR. A study from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute showed that every time a bacterium uses CRISPR, there is a chance of mutating and becoming resistant to antibiotics. This potential risk is especially likely when the bacterium uses CRISPR to defend itself against other phages (viruses that only infect bacterial cells).

Implications for CRISPR antibiotics

Wider implications for CRISPR’s use in the development of antibiotics may include:

• Enhanced public and private sector funding for enzymes research capable of neutralizing human-threatening viruses, vital for a society keen on thwarting future pandemics.
• Significant investments by pharmaceutical and biotech companies in CRISPR research, aiming to accelerate and economize the production of medicines and treatments.
• Broad improvements in mortality rates due to CRISPR therapies' potential in diminishing deaths from antibiotic resistance and superbugs.
• Enactment of new laws and regulations by governments and healthcare authorities to oversee CRISPR therapy research and its application to the populace.
• A shift in pharmaceutical business models towards more personalized medicine, as CRISPR enables tailoring treatments to individual genetic profiles.
• Increased ethical debates and public discourse regarding the moral implications of gene editing, leading to more engaged and informed citizenry.
• Expansion in job opportunities and skill requirements in biotechnology and genetic engineering, fostering a more specialized workforce.
• Potential reduction in healthcare costs over time as CRISPR-based treatments offer more effective and lasting solutions to diseases.
• A surge in international collaborations and partnerships in research and development, spurred by the shared goal of harnessing CRISPR for global health benefits.
• Environmental benefits from reduced reliance on traditional antibiotics, which often contribute to pollution and antibiotic resistance in ecosystems.

Questions to consider

• What are the other ways that we can stop antibiotic resistance?
• How else can CRISPR change the way we produce medicines?