Pre-historic frozen bacteria could unlock antibiotic breakthroughs

Researchers report a previously unknown strain of bacteria was found frozen in a 5,000-year-old Romanian ice cave, and they say it could play an essential role in tackling antibiotic-resistant infections.

Scientists report a previously unidentified strain of bacteria was found frozen in a Romanian ice cave dated to about 5,000 years. The discovery is reported as potentially important because researchers say the strain could play an essential role in tackling antibiotic-resistant infections. The bacteria were recovered from cave ice and examined by researchers. The finding has been described in news coverage as a possible source of new antibiotic leads. Key details: - A previously unknown bacterial strain was found in ice inside a Romanian cave. - The ice deposit is reported as about 5,000 years old. - Researchers say the strain could play an "essential" role in addressing antibiotic-resistant infections. - The finding is reported as potentially relevant to the search for new antibiotic compounds. Summary: The reported discovery could broaden research into ancient microbes as sources of new antibiotic compounds. Undetermined at this time.