AmebaGone

AmebaGone is a biotechnology company founded in 2011 by bacteriologist Marcin Filutowicz. The company utilizes the unique properties of soil-borne amoebas, unicellular organisms that feed on bacteria, to develop antimicrobial technologies as potential alternatives to traditional antibiotics. AmebaGone's core technology revolves around the amoeba species Dictyostelium discoideum, which has been shown to effectively eliminate harmful bacteria such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and the bacteria responsible for pneumonia.

One of AmebaGone's primary focus areas is developing a pre-surgical nasal decontamination treatment using amoebas to eliminate MRSA and other undesirable microbes present in the nasal cavity. This approach aims to prevent post-surgical infections caused by self-contamination when patients inadvertently transfer nasal bacteria to surgical sites. In proof-of-principle experiments, the amoebas effectively consumed MRSA, demonstrating their potential as a viable alternative to antibiotics which are ineffective against MRSA.

AmebaGone's technology also shows promise in combating biofilms, resilient bacterial aggregates impervious to antibiotics. The company's research indicates that amoebas can dismantle biofilms, making the individual bacterial cells accessible for eradication. This capability could lead to potential treatments for conditions like diabetic ulcers, which are often caused by antibiotic-resistant biofilms.

Furthermore, AmebaGone is exploring the use of amoebas to combat plant pathogens, such as Erwinia amylovora, the bacteria responsible for fire blight in orchards. The company is also investigating the potential of amoebas to produce novel antibiotic compounds, as genome analyses suggest they have the capacity to synthesize a wide range of antimicrobial compounds.