Platypus milk is not a new trendy milk, but it could save lives
Platypus milk: It's not the new almond milk, but it could save lives.
Milk from Australia's duck-billed, egg-laying monotreme could be crucial to the fight against antibiotic resistance, thanks to new research by Australian scientists.
Back in 2010, scientists found that platypus milk held properties that could be used to develop defences against superbugs — nasty bacteria that have built up a resistance to antimicrobial treatments like antibiotics.
Now, in what WHO has dubbed the "post antibiotic era," researchers at CSIRO -- the independent agency of the Australian government responsible for scientific research -- have teamed up with Deakin University to understand how an unusual protein found in platypus milk, with rather protective antibacterial characteristics, could help to fight these superbugs.
"Platypus are such weird animals that it would make sense for them to have weird biochemistry," said Janet Newman, CSIRO scientist and lead author on the research published in Structural Biology Communications. "By taking a closer look at their milk, we've characterised a new protein that has unique antibacterial properties with the potential to save lives," her statement said.
Platypuses don't have nipples or teats (they're monotremes, not mammals), so the milk comes from the creature's sweat, through the pores. Mmm sweaty milk.
In order to feed their young, mother platypuses will concentrate the milk to their bellies, but this mean it'll be exposed to the environment, hence the high antibacterial element in the milk to protect lil' bebe platypuses from infections.
By replicating the protein in a lab setting using the magic of molecular biology, the team were able to more easily analyse the structure and discover a never-before-seen fold. It's been dubbed the "Shirley Temple," due to its ringlet-like formation, which is similar to the 1930s child star's signature hairstyle.
Newman said the "Shirley Temple" discovery was a huge step forward in the fight against superbugs. "Although we've identified this highly unusual protein as only existing in monotremes, this discovery increases our knowledge of protein structures in general, and will go on to inform other drug discovery work done at the Centre," she said in a statement.
CSIRO and Deakin are now looking to take the research to the next stage — which takes more than a few dolla dolla bills. But with more scientists turning to experimental solutions to antibiotic resistance, investment in untapped sources seems pretty important right now.
Shannon Connellan is Mashable's UK Editor based in London, formerly Mashable's Australia Editor, but emotionally, she lives in the Creel House. A Tomatometer-approved critic, Shannon writes about entertainment, tech, social good, science, culture, and Australian horror.
