When it comes to germ-busting power, the eyes have it,
according to a discovery by UC Berkeley researchers that could lead to new,
inexpensive antimicrobial drugs.
A team of UC Berkeley vision scientists has found that small
fragments of keratin protein in the eye play a key role in warding off
pathogens. The researchers also put synthetic versions of these keratin
fragments to the test against an array of nasty pathogens. These synthetic
molecules effectively zapped bacteria that can lead to flesh-eating disease and
strep throat (Streptococcus pyogenes), diarrhea (Escherichia coli), staph
infections (Staphylococcus aureus) and cystic fibrosis lung infections
(Pseudomonas aeruginosa).