Indian Institute of Science

IISc Scientists Discover Cow Gut Enzyme CRhAB That Breaks Down Antibiotic-Resistant Biofilms

- Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science identified CRhAB, a cow-rumen enzyme that disrupts bacterial biofilms and suppresses biofilm-related gene expression in Acinetobacter baumannii. - CRhAB acts against both A. baumannii and Klebsiella pneumoniae, two ESKAPE pathogens, offering a dual-bacterial strategy with a single enzyme. - Enzyme-coated gauze sped up wound healing in a mouse wound-infection model, with researchers now developing patch dressings for diabetic foot infections. - The long-term goal is an inhalable or nebulisable CRhAB formulation to prevent and disrupt biofilms in the lungs.