Appraisal of a Current Discovery in Science

Abstract
Antibiotic resistance is one of the key concerns amongst the medical faculty. An article published in PLOS Computational Biology (2015) indicated that researchers have identified novel methods based on Darwinian principles to combat antibiotic resistance. They showed that the bacterium Escherichia Coli may either thrive or perish based on the sequence of antibiotics given. This is because they found that 70% of 2 to 4 antibiotics lead to the resistance of final drug. The scientists speculated that if combinations of antibiotics are meticulously selected, resistance cannot evolve or emerge.
Recognition of such sequences or combinations might pave the way for managing antibiotic resistance, which is still a treatment dilemma for physicians managing critical infections. Since resistance through efflux pumps and resistance to non beta-lactams are still unresolved, this discovery might pave the way for such unresolved areas. This discovery will not only provide the general public, a hope for survival but will also encourage care providers for having another option against resistant bacteria.
Publication Details on Discovery/Research
URL: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/10/151009155413.html Release Date: October 9th, 2015.
Source: H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute.
Name of the Topic: Novel Theoretical Approach to Reduce Antibiotic Resistance
Journal Published: Daniel Nichol, Peter Jeavons, Alexander G. Fletcher, Robert A.

Bonomo, Philip K. Maini, Jerome L. Paul, Robert A. Gatenby, Alexander R.A. Anderson, Jacob G. Scott. Steering Evolution with Sequential Therapy to Prevent the Emergence of Bacterial Antibiotic Resistance. PLOS Computational Biology, 2015; 11 (9): e1004493 DOI:10.1371/journal.pcbi.1004493 Details of Research
All across the world including United States antibiotic resistance imposes a serious treatment concern. Such resistances are caused due to overuse of antibiotics in livestock and community practice. The researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute have developed a novel mathematical approach based on Darwinian evolution to use the present antibiotics either to eliminate or decrease the development of resistance in bacteria. The researchers revealed that administration of a combination or sequences of antibiotics may alleviate this resistance development. They showed that the bacterium Escherichia Coli may either thrive or perish based on the sequence of antibiotics given. This is because they found that 70% of 2 to 4 antibiotics lead to the resistance of final drug. Hence they speculate that if combinations of antibiotics are meticulously selected, resistance cannot evolve or emerge.
My Understanding
My understanding was enhanced on the subject because I earlier believed that bacterial resistance is very hard to combat. With the advent of beta lactam-beta lactamase inhibitor and discovery of antibiotics that may enter through all porin channels provided successful avenues for combating resistance. However, resistance through efflux pumps and resistance to non beta lactams are still unresolved. This discovery might pave the way for such unresolved areas.
Conclusion
This research is highly important for general public because often life threatening infections like septicaemia have no treatment options. Such situation arises due to antibiotic resistance and infection in the blood cannot be treated which result in end organ failure and finally death of an individual. This knowledge about the discovery will not only give them the hope for survival but will also encourage care providers for having another option against resistant bacteria.