UAB's new antibiotic against anthrax

Dr. Larry DeLucas, a former astronaut and currently director of UAB Biophysical Science & Engineering, has tailored an antibiotic for anthrax, according to Dave Parks' article in The Birmingham News on Sept. 5, 2000. "DeLucas said the antibiotic was designed using crystallography. That process allows a drug to be precisely tailored to block the internal workings of a virus or bacteria. 'It's like a hand going into a glove… a very powerful approach.'" DeLucas asserted that "UAB's new antibiotic could be more effective against anthrax than Cipro." As of 2000, the "Army has spent $6.5 million to develop the antibiotic over four years, and an estimated $16 million more is needed, said DeLucas."