What causes antibiotic resistance? – Kevin Wu

Explore how bacteria become resistant to antibiotics and turn into superbugs, and what scientists are doing to stop it.

—

Right now, you are inhabited by trillions of microorganisms. Many of these bacteria are harmless (or even helpful!), but there are a few strains of ‘super bacteria’ that are pretty nasty — and they’re growing resistant to our antibiotics. Why is this happening? Kevin Wu details the evolution of this problem that presents a big challenge for the future of medicine.

Lesson by Kevin Wu, animation by Brett Underhill.

Sign up for our newsletter: http://bit.ly/TEDEdNewsletter
Support us on Patreon: http://bit.ly/TEDEdPatreon
Follow us on Facebook: http://bit.ly/TEDEdFacebook
Find us on Twitter: http://bit.ly/TEDEdTwitter
Peep us on Instagram: http://bit.ly/TEDEdInstagram
View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/how-antibiotics-become-resistant-over-time-kevin-wu