IIT Roorkee Scientists Uncover Superbug’s Defense Mechanism, Opening Doors to New Treatments

Roorkee, February 10, 2025: Scientists at the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IIT Roorkee) have uncovered a crucial regulatory mechanism in Acinetobacter baumannii, a highly drug-resistant superbug responsible for life-threatening infections. Their study, published in mBio, the prestigious journal of the American Society for Microbiology (ASM), reveals how the pathogen controls its attack and defense systems, paving the way for new treatment strategies.
 
Acinetobacter baumannii is notorious for its ability to resist multiple antibiotics, making it a serious threat in healthcare settings. It causes severe hospital-acquired infections, including pneumonia, bloodstream infections, and urinary tract infections. A major survival tool of this superbug is the Type 6 Secretion System (T6SS) - a bacterial "weapon" used to attack competing microbes. However, how A. baumannii regulates T6SS while maintaining antibiotic resistance has remained unclear until now.
 
The research team, led by Prof. Ranjana Pathania, discovered that A. baumannii switches T6SS on or off based on environmental conditions. A small RNA molecule, AbsR28, plays a key role in this regulation, influenced by manganese (Mn²+) levels. When Mn²+ levels are high, AbsR28 binds to an essential gene (tssM) required for T6SS function, leading to its degradation. This prevents the activation of T6SS and enables A. baumannii to retain plasmid pAB3, which carries multiple antibiotic-resistance genes.
 
“We found that when A. baumannii activates T6SS, it becomes more vulnerable to antibiotics and oxidative stress. So, the bacteria must carefully regulate this system to survive in different conditions,” said Prof. Pathania. “Our discovery sheds light on how this pathogen adapts during infections, helping it evade both antibiotics and the immune system.”
 
By targeting AbsR28, scientists may be able to disrupt the superbug’s regulatory system, making it more susceptible to antibiotics without directly attacking resistance genes. This discovery opens new avenues for precision medicine and novel drug development against multidrug-resistant infections.
 
The research team includes Somok Bhowmik, Avik Pathak, Shivam Pandey, Kuldip Devnath, Abhiroop Sett, Nishant Jyoti, Timsy Bhando, Jawed Akhter, Saurabh Chugh, Dr. Ramandeep Singh, and Tarun Kumar Sharma. Their pioneering work reinforces IIT Roorkee’s leadership in cutting-edge biomedical research.
 
Prof. Kamal Kishore Pant, Director, IIT Roorkee, said, “At IIT Roorkee, we are committed to advancing scientific research that addresses global health challenges. This breakthrough in understanding Acinetobacter baumannii’s defense mechanism is a testament to the high-impact work being carried out by our researchers. Such discoveries pave the way for innovative solutions in tackling antibiotic resistance and improving healthcare outcomes.”