Maynooth scientists develop new antibiotics in MRSA breakthrough

Scientists at Maynooth University have made what looks like a promising breakthrough towards developing a new class of antibiotics to tackle hospital superbugs such as MRSA.

John Stephens of Maynooth’s department of chemistry said it was “almost as good as Vancomysin”, long considered a drug of last resort to treat multiple drug-resistant bacterial infections.

Quinoline thiourea, the compound which showed itself to be effective against superbugs such as staphylococcus aureus, E.coli, and MRSA, is, Dr Stephens said, “very active in its ability to inhibit MRSA growth”.