Alberta plants factor in LC antibiotics research

Lethbridge College researchers are doing their part to discover and develop new antibiotics as a potential crisis looms over the next few decades with infectious diseases become increasingly immune to treatment, by testing plants native to Alberta for antibiotic molecules.

The work of microbiology senior research scientist Sophie Kernéis and lab technician Leanne DuMontier has received a boost as their lab was recently federally certified to handle Level 2 pathogens such as bacteria, viruses and other microorganisms that cause disease. Previously the lab was only able to work on nonpathogens.

The certification aids the work of the Antibiotic Alberta Plant Project, launched by Kernéis in 2016. Very few antibiotics have been discovered in the last few decades, even as demand has risen and more bacteria have become immune to existing treatments. The COVID-19 pandemic has increased demand as antibiotics have been used on patients, creating a strain on the market at the same time that experts are trying to preserve existing antibiotic molecules.

While many antibiotics currently on the market are mainly derived from fungi or bacteria, Kernéis’ research is focused on developing antibiotics from plants found in Alberta. Searching the countryside, her team has already collected 45 samples from 16 different plant families, and have identified two molecules with antibiotic properties.

“We believe these plants are very special,” says Kernéis. “Because of the climate, the people, the animals eating them and infecting them, because of the soil, they have to really compete to stay alive from year-to-year. From our knowledge, nobody has studied these plants for their antibiotic properties, so we think we may have more chance to find unique molecules.”

According to the World Health Organization, by 2050, 10 million deaths may occur annually if new antibiotics aren’t developed to treat bacterial infections. Small research labs play key roles in developing new antibiotics that will keep people safe and help to fight the threat of diseases that are immune to current treatments.

“The big pharmaceutical companies are basically not doing this type of research anymore because the return on investment is not very good,” says Kernéis. “It’s still very important to get new antibiotics because bacteria are becoming more and more resistant to the ones that we have, which is why she’ll continue to scour the countryside, looking for new plant samples to analyze. It’s really time consuming and physically demanding, but I think it’s worth it as we need to do our part.”

In addition to helping to cure and prevent infectious diseases, antibiotics are also used in a wide range of production such as food and cosmetics. Kernéis and DuMontier have trained 15 research students from Lethbridge College, the University of Lethbridge, the University of British Columbia and the University of Alberta. The lab also collaborates with researchers from the University of Lethbridge and the

University of British Columbia.

Anyone interested in contributing to the discovery of new antibiotics, whether by giving access to private land to collect plant samples, as an industry partner, or by making a financial contribution, can contact Kernéis at 403-320-3202 ext. 5655 or at sophie.kerneis@lethbridgecollege.ca. Follow @GBobinecHerald on Twitter