Brace yourselves, folks, because the world of science has just gotten a little bit more John Wick-inspired. Scientists at a German research institute have discovered a new way to kill fungi, and it involves a name you may recognize: Keanu Reeves.
That’s right, the same Keanu Reeves who starred in the hit action thriller franchise “John Wick” is now the inspiration behind a new discovery in the world of microbiology. The scientists have named their new compounds “keanumycins” in honor of the actor, and they pack a serious punch when it comes to killing fungi.
“They should’ve called it John Wick,” he said. “But that’s pretty cool … and surreal for me. But thanks, scientist people! Good luck, and thank you for helping us.”
The keanumycins were found to be effective against both plant fungal diseases and human fungal pathogens. According to Dr. Pierre Stallforth, one of the researchers involved in the study, the keanumycins work by “inactivating” the fungi, much like Reeves’ character in “John Wick” takes down his enemies.
“Keanu Reeves plays many iconic roles in which he is extremely efficient in ‘inactivating’ his enemies. The keanumycins do the same with fungi,” said Dr. Pierre Stallforth, a researcher and a professor of paleobiotechnology at Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology in Jena, Germany.
Lead author Sebastian Götze described the keanumycins as creating “holes” in the surface of the pathogen, causing it to “bleed” to death. This lethal action is similar to the way Reeves dispatches his foes in the “John Wick” films.
When the researchers applied the keanumycins to a hydrangea plant covered in the fungus Botrytis cinerea, they found that the bacteria filled the fungus with holes, freeing the plant of the blight. This is great news for greenhouse crops like tomatoes and strawberries, which are often plagued by gray mold rot caused by Botrytis cinerea.
But the keanumycins aren’t just effective against plant fungal diseases. They also work against Candida albicans, a naturally occurring fungus in the human body that can cause infection when it overproduces. This is a big deal, as many fungi have become resistant to drugs and substances that have been used to kill them in the past.
Dr. Götze believes that the keanumycins could be an important alternative to pesticides and antibiotics, which are facing a crisis of anti-infectives. If fungal phytopathogens become resistant to fungicides, crop production could suffer, leading to famine in extreme cases.
Dr. Matthew Nelsen, a research scientist at the Field Museum in Chicago, who was not involved in the study, says that the researchers’ findings suggest a microbial evolution to fight against predatory pathogens. “Consequently, we need to find a new way to outsmart or one-up them,” he says.
So, there you have it: Reeves may be known for his killer roles in Hollywood, but now he’s inspiring killer compounds in the world of science. Who knows what other discoveries we’ll make with the help of our favorite actors and actresses? Maybe next, we’ll find a way to fight cancer with the power of Meryl Streep’s acting. The possibilities are endless!
And if you’re looking forward to John Wick 4 in the UAE, sadly you’re going to have to wait a bit longer. Read more here.