New, improved anti-fungal compounds developed

Washington, Dec 23 (ANI): Scientists from Syracuse University have created new brominated furanones that may help to check deadly fungal infections.

The drugs may also be effective against the most dangerous fungus Candida albicans, which is found in 75percent of the people.

Assistant professor Dacheng Ren of the Department of Biomedical and Chemical Engineering in SU's L.C. Smith College of Engineering and Computer Science, said: "These new furanones have the potential to control such infections and save lives.

"In our tests, they reduced fungal growth by more than 80 percent, and we hope to improve on that going forward."

The study found that furanones have different genetic targets than the presently used anti-fungal agents and this may also help to remove any drug resistance acquired in the past Ren and chemistry professor Yan-Yeung Luk of SU's College of Arts and Sciences, have now applied for a non-provisional patent.

The research has appeared in the Journal of Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology. (ANI)