Antibiotics: Leafcutter ants research brings new hope

Scientists leading the way in trying to find a solution to the growing problem of antibiotic-resistant bacteria have turned to ants.

Leafcutter ants, which create their own antibiotic, are at the centre of a research project at the John Innes Centre (JIC) in Norfolk.

Scientists at JIC are confident studying natural processes will reveal new antibiotics.

The pressure is on to make discoveries because every year more drugs are made ineffective by microbe resistance.