Scientists have discovered a novel function within the human immune system, revealing that the proteasome—a cellular component previously understood only to recycle old proteins—also acts as a potent defense mechanism against bacteria. Research from Israel's Weizmann Institute of Science shows that when a cell detects bacterial infection, the proteasome changes its structure and repurposes discarded proteins into powerful antimicrobial chemicals. These natural compounds function as weapons, destroying bacteria by tearing open their outer layers, fundamentally altering our understanding of how cells protect themselves against infection.

This finding opens up a promising new avenue in the urgent search for antibiotics capable of tackling drug-resistant superbugs, described by experts as a potential "goldmine." The researchers successfully extracted these natural antibiotics and demonstrated their effectiveness against bacteria in laboratory settings and in mice suffering from infections, achieving results comparable to established drugs. While turning this discovery into clinical treatments will require time and further testing, the fact that these compounds are naturally produced by the human body offers optimism for potentially safer and more efficient drug development to address the growing global crisis of antimicrobial resistance.