A newly discovered antibiotic called "Teixobactin" shows serious potential for killing drug resistant superbugs.

Researchers, however, need to test the antibiotic so it can be used in the future against drug-resistant infections such as MRSA and certain strains of tuberculosis that are immune to common antibiotics.

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MRSA, which stands for Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, is an infection caused by a strain of staph bacteria resistant to antibiotics normally used to treat ordinary staph infections.

Experts said the discovery of Teixobactin could lead to a new class of antibiotics for the first time in decades.

"The discovery of the this novel compound challenges long-held scientific beliefs and holds a great promise for treating an array of menacing infections," said Kim Lewis, professor at Northeastern University and co- founder of NovoBiotic Pharmaceutical

In a recent teleconference, it was explained that Teixobactin does belong to a new class of compounds that cause cell walls to break down in order to kill bacteria. Binding multiple targets to slow down the development of resistance seems to work.

Last year, World Health Organization (WHO) warned that the post-antibiotic era can become dangerous, which can be at risk of infection. On the other hand, Lewis along with his NovoBiotic colleagues continues to discover new potential sources of antibiotics that can give answers to the problem.

Among the 50,000 strains that were collected by the group, mostly uncultured bacteria, were 25 new bacteria strains with Teixobactin the most interesting one.

Other scientists welcomed the finding and are heedful human trials of teixobactin are still needed.

Tagsnew antibiotic, teixobactin, WHO, superbug, tubercolosis, drug resistance, antibiotic