Celebrating Scholarship and Creativity Day (2018-)
Document Type
Poster
Publication Date
4-30-2026
Disciplines
Biology
Advisor
Jacob Pithan
Abstract
The antibiotic resistance crisis is an emerging global health threat. In 2019 alone, 1.27 million deaths were attributed to antibiotic-resistant pathogens, and researchers predict the problem will worsen without intervention. Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has become a primary model for this crisis because it utilizes genomic adaptations to bypass β-lactam antibiotics. Although temperate actinomycetes have historically provided the majority of clinical antibiotics, recent bioprospecting has revealed that extremophilic actinomycetes represent a critical untapped resource. These organisms exhibit several adaptations to thrive in extreme environments, which results in the production of novel secondary metabolites and resilient extracellular enzymes. This literature review examines the unique defense mechanisms of these extremophiles, specifically their enzymatic productivity, biosynthetic gene clusters, and production of antimicrobial compounds like Ar-tumerone that allow them to potentially replace temperate strains in MRSA therapy. Through case studies of thermophilic and halophilic isolates, we demonstrate that the bioactive materials produced by extremophilic actinomycetes maintain higher functional stability than conventional treatments in challenging environments. In addition, the case studies provide concrete evidence of extremophilic actinomycetes' capability of inhibiting the growth of MRSA and other multi-drug-resistant bacteria (MDR). We also address key knowledge gaps, such as physiological transition barriers, that must be overcome to transform these specialized mechanisms into clinical solutions. While funding remains a primary constraint, dedicated research into these extreme environments is essential to developing the next generation of life-saving therapeutics.
Recommended Citation
Nelson, Kyley and Reddan, Ben, "Survival of the Fittest: Extremophilic Actinomycetes as the Future of Antibiotic Treatment" (2026). Celebrating Scholarship and Creativity Day (2018-). 345.
https://digitalcommons.csbsju.edu/ur_cscday/345