The bacteria that causes pneumonia, meningitis and other infections is becoming drug resistant, but recent research at the Canadian Light Source on the USask campus is trying to come up with new ways to fight these germs. A University of Victoria project used the CLS to study proteins in this bacteria.

Dr. Alisdair Boraston says these proteins are what make us sick, so his research team wanted to have a closer look at what they are so they can try to figure out a way to stop infections in their tracks. The particular bacterium in this study is one of many deployed during an infection.

Technology has come a long way. Samples were sent to the CLS and then they were put in a robot which could be operated from their home lab.

Dr. Boraston says the ultimate goal is alternative treatments for bacteria that are constantly adapting to medical interventions. This particular bacteria is becoming increasingly drug resistant and is continually changing, making vaccinations less effective.