Researchers from the University of California, Berkeley recently discovered that fragments of keratin protein in the eye have the power to prevent pathogens and could possibly be used to develop new antimicrobial drugs. In the study, the group of vision scientists tested synthetic versions of the keratin fragments against pathogens. They discovered that the synthetic fragments were able to eliminate the bacteria that could have otherwise caused cystic fibrosis lung infections, staph infections, strep throat, and diarrhea. The results of the study will be published in the upcoming October issue of the Journal of Clinical Investigation.
