The Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology announced on Wednesday that researchers at its Infectious Disease Research Center have developed a groundbreaking infection-prevention strategy.
The study, led by Drs. Ryu Chung Min and Seo Hwi Won focus on DDM (n-dodecyl-β-D-maltoside), a substance previously known only as a stabilizing agent in drug manufacturing.
To test DDM’s effectiveness, the team administered it to lab animals one day before exposing them to highly pathogenic, antibiotic-resistant bacteria and influenza viruses. While all untreated animals succumbed to the infections, those given DDM showed a 100% survival rate.
Unlike traditional treatments that directly target pathogens, DDM works by rapidly mobilizing and activating neutrophils, key cells in the body’s innate immune system, at infection sites.
During an infection, neutrophils quickly congregate at the site of infection, maximizing their ability to engulf and kill invading pathogens.
Importantly, this neutrophil activation occurs selectively only when pathogens are present, avoiding unnecessary inflammation or side effects during non-infectious states.
This research is significant because it introduces a precise immune preparation strategy that activates only when needed, rather than indiscriminately boosting immunity.
The approach shows promise as a universal infection-prevention method, particularly valuable given growing concerns about antibiotic resistance and emerging infectious diseases.
It could be especially beneficial for protecting vulnerable populations, such as ICU patients, older adults, and people with compromised immune systems.
Dr. Seo said that the study presents a novel approach to infection control by strengthening the body’s natural immune responses to fight complex infections. Dr. Seo added that the team believes it could develop into a broad-spectrum preventive strategy against unpredictable threats such as antibiotic-resistant bacteria and new viral strains.
The findings were published in eBioMedicine, a prestigious international journal focusing on basic medical sciences.