Tasmanian devil milk may hold key to killing superbugs

Jaymi Heimbuch

Photo: Flash-ka/Shutterstock

Tasmanian devils have a reputation for ferocity, and that reputation can now carry right on into the mammal’s milk! Recent research shows that six naturally occurring antimicrobial peptides are found in the milk that can kill off even the most fierce bacterial and fungal infections.

According to The Sydney Morning Herald:

Having scanned the devil’s genome and discovered the six naturally occurring antimicrobial peptides, researchers from Sydney University set about replicating them artificially. They then tested the peptide’s effectiveness at killing some of the most harmful bacteria known to humans. Read more.