A team of research scientists from the University of York have taken it on them to search for ways to find new antibiotics that are effective against the resistant bacteria. It is a very important step as it will help reduce the threat of superbugs which is prevailed worldwide. 
The team was led by Professor Maggie Smith from the Department of Biology at York. The department will provide new tools for creating stable genetically engineered strains which could lead to improvements to existing antibiotics and the development of new ones.
The study used novel genetic engineering tools to manipulate the genes required for antibiotic biosynthesis. The new tools will enable scientists to create new antibiotics.
In a proof of principle experiment, the researchers effectively mixed and matched the genes from different antibiotic biosynthesis pathways to make new antibiotics. They took genes from the biosynthesis pathways for the antibiotics erythromycin and angolomycin to create new molecules that appeared to have antibiotic activity.
The technique could 'unlock' the antibiotic potential of a significantly larger number of biosynthetic pathways than traditional methods of producing antibiotics.
According to Professor Smith, the world is running out of antibiotics and we surely need to find ways to improve the ones that we already have to make them effective against resistant bacteria or a better option, we have to find new ones. It is important to provide the tools to facilitate more innovative experiments for the growing number of researchers who are interested in manipulating antibiotic pathways.
The study was funded by the Biotechnology and Biological sciences Research Council (project grant BB/K003356/1) and the Egyptian Cultural Bureau. It also involved scientists from Isomerase Therapeutics (Cambridge, UK), and the National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt and the University of Cairo.
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