Hear how we can win the war with drug-resistant bacteria at Beer with a Scientist, April 18.
We have been bombarded with the notion that bacteria are bad for us. You probably also have heard that germs are becoming more and more resistant to antibiotics, leaving us vulnerable to diseases that we thought were conquered. As scientists develop ever-more-powerful medications to fight bacterial infections, the bacteria are fighting back, and sometimes seem to be winning.
Will we eventually enter a post-antibiotic era where simple infections can kill us?
Deborah Yoder-Himes, PhD, assistant professor in the Department of Biology at the University of Louisville, assures us we are not yet doomed, but we do need to have a battle plan.
“If we take steps now to combat the rising rates of antibiotic resistance, develop new antibiotics and secure these medicines for future use, we can win the war against these bugs,” Yoder-Himes said.
How do we do this?
At the next Beer with a Scientist, Yoder-Himes will discuss how most bacteria are actually good for us, how pathogenic bacteria evolve to resist our most potent medications and how science can preserve our ability to fight illness-causing infections.
The talk begins at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, April 18, at Against the Grain Brewery, 401 E. Main St. in Louisville. A 30-minute presentation will be followed by an informal Q&A session.
Admission is free. Purchase of beer, other beverages or menu items is not required but is encouraged.
Watch for info on the next Beer with a Scientist, scheduled for May 16.
Source: Beer with a Scientist: The epic battle between superbugs and humans (UofL News, April 12, 2018)
