Caption

A molecular model of carbapenem, an antibiotic often used as a last resort for bacterial infections such as Escherichia coli (E. coli) or Klebsiella pneumoniae. Carbapenems are effective against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria as well as anaerobes, and are resistant to bacterial enzymes which try to break down antibiotics. However recent strands of carbapenem-resistant bacteria are beginning to emerge, leading to concerns over the possible spread of a mutated antibiotic-resistance gene. Atoms are coloured dark gray (carbon), light gray (hydrogen), red (oxygen) and blue (nitrogen).