Scientists at the University of Illinois Chicago have discovered a new antibiotic, manikomycin, from soil bacteria that shows promise against drug-resistant superbugs, according to research published in Nature on June 10, 2026.
The study, led by Dr. Sarah Johnson, found that manikomycin targets Gram-negative bacteria, including E. coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae, which are resistant to many existing antibiotics. The compound works by disrupting bacterial cell wall synthesis.
In laboratory tests, manikomycin was effective against 90% of drug-resistant strains tested, with no toxicity to human cells at therapeutic doses. The researchers plan to begin animal trials within six months.
This discovery is significant because Gram-negative bacteria are particularly difficult to treat due to their protective outer membrane. The last new class of antibiotics effective against them was discovered over 50 years ago.
