Portugal: Scientists identify targets to combat bacteria causing tuberculosis

Scientists in Portugal have identified new targets to combat atypical mycobacteria that cause serious pulmonary infections like tuberculosis.

The research was published earlier this month in the American scientific magazine Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the USA, and reveals “details of the biogenesis of rare polysaccharides” involved in the construction of the wall of these bacteria, which are very common in water distribution networks, the University of Coimbra said in a statement.

According to Nuno Empadinhas, a researcher from the Center for Computational Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), University of Coimbra, understanding how bacteria build this protective wall could be key in order to destroy it.

The five-year study was financed by the Foundation for Science and Technology and also received support from local programmes Norte2020 and Centro 2020.