This surprising turn of events has led to one patent, five others pending and a spin-off company, says team leader Dr. John Webster of SFU's department of biological sciences. Research on microscopic worms called nematodes led to the discovery. Scientists believe there are as many species of nematodes as there are insects. In humans, they are known as roundworms. Webster has spent 30 years researching nematodes and, in particular, how some species damage crops, while others kill insect pests.
Related substances act as antibiotics.
In test tube experiments they have proven effective in destroying the bacteria associated with tuberculosis and some highly infectious drug-resistant staphylococcus infections. Scientists at the B.C. Cancer Agency are currently testing the xenorxides in rodents to assess their cancer-killing effectiveness in living organisms. Another organization is testing related substances as a drug treatment for tuberculosis. The growing problem of drug-resistant bacterial strains lends added significance to the SFU research. Consequently, they may prove, one day, to be particularly potent medicinal weapons.