A study conducted at Pennsylvania State University has discovered one of the mechanisms that enables hospital superbug MRSA to develop a resistance against antibiotics. Scientists are now set on using the new findings to develop a drug that can stop the infection.

The researchers found out that MRSA bacteria contain a special CFR protein that hinders antibiotics to attach themselves to the ribosome of the bug. Unless they are able to dock on to this protein-producing part of the bacteria and cut the bug's vital protein supply, antibiotics will not be effective.

CFR Proteins are normally found in bacteria like Staphylococcus sciuri that only infect animals, but have been found to move freely, also into bacteria that affect humans.

Lead scientist, Dr. Squire Booker said: "What we've discovered here is so exciting because it represents a truly new chemical mechanism for methylation. We now have a very clear chemical picture of a very clever mechanism for antibiotic resistance that some bacteria have evolved".

Despite the number of hygiene campaigns launched in different countries, MRSA still claims the life of hundreds of hospitalized patients each year. It has also found breeding grounds in gyms, nurseries and school classrooms. The study was published in the international journal Science.