Staphylococcus aureas versus Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aurea

From Staphylococcus aureus to MRSA Abstract I investigated the difference between Staphylococcus aureas and its super bacteria form of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureas. I used books, websites, and scholarly projects to understand the topic at a molecular level. After researching penicillin, Staphylococcus aureas, and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureas, I found that both the drug and the bacteria use enzymes as their defense and attack mechanism. Penicillin uses a ß-lactam ring as a substrate to clog the active site of transpeptidase, and in defense, the bacteria uses ß-lactamase to break down the ß-lactam ring. I hope to continue research on super bacteria to determine whether or not other super bacteria such as Enterococcus faecium and Streptococcus pyogenes use the same defenses. I found growing number of super bacteria both interesting and disconcerting. My conclusion is that antibiotics and even antibacterials must be monitored more closely if we wish to keep the upper hand over bacteria. In 1928 when Alexander Fleming saw the bacteria-free ring of inhibition made by Staphylococcus aureus around Penicillium notatum (penicillin) in his petri dish, he must have been shocked and thrilled. By 1940, penicillin was being produced for a very eager public. [4] It was our miracle drug; bacterial infections were a thing of the past. However, the use of penicillin was quickly abused, and problems arose. A target bacteria, Staphylococcus aureas soon learned to beat the scientist who thought he had them conquered. MRSA, or Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureas is very similar to Staphylococcus aureas, but it is no longer affected by penicillin or methicillin, the most common antibiotics... ...iel C., and Natalie C. J. Strynadka. "Structure of SeMet Penicillin Binding Protein 2a From Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Strain 27r (Trigonal Form) At 2.45 a Resolution." (2002). Protein Data Bank. . [4] Natural Products as Pharmaceuticals: a Look At Penicillin. 20 July 2008 . [5] Strynadka, Natalie C. J., and Daniel Lim. "Structural Basis of B-Lactam Resistance in Methicillin-Resistant Strains of "Superbug" Revealed." 2002. University of British Columbia. 20 July 2008 _sci_3.pdf>. [6] "The Bacterial Cell Wall." 1995. The University of Texas, DPALM MEDIC. 20 July 2008 . [7] Weigelt, John A. MRSA. New York: Informa Healthcare, 2008.