The idea of using microorganisms as a source of new active ingredients is not new. Numerous drugs have already been developed on the basis of natural products from bacteria and fungi. These compete for available resources in their natural habitat, such as the soil, and use chemical signals to gain an advantage over their microbial competitors. It is therefore not surprising that a large proportion of the antibiotics available on the market is based on natural products from microorganisms.
Drug discovery within the patient
The idea of using microorganisms as a source of new active ingredients is not new. Numerous drugs have already been developed on the basis of natural products from bacteria and fungi. These compete for available resources in their natural habitat, such as the soil, and use chemical signals to gain an advantage over their microbial competitors. It is therefore not surprising that a large proportion of the antibiotics available on the market is based on natural products from microorganisms.
