Scientists have genetically tweaked the facial acne-causing bacteria to help fight pimples instead!

It can be frustrating and tempting to pick at acne, but scientists might have found a better way to fight it, using the very bacteria that causes it! This research is pretty clever, like using your enemy's weapons against them.

Cutibacterium acnes is a common bacteria on our faces, known for causing pimples. It creates excess oil that clogs pores and leads to inflammation. However, it also helps protect our skin. Instead of destroying it, researchers changed its genes to make it fight pimples.

They used a protein called NGAL, which tells oil-producing cells to chill and stop making so much oil. Sebum, the oily stuff that builds up and clogs pores, was the target. Inspired by a strong acne medication that also increases NGAL, the team wanted C. acnes to do the job internally, without the harsh side effects.

The tricky part was modifying C. acnes' genes, as it's stubborn. But researchers persevered and found a way to sneak the NGAL-making instructions into its DNA, turning it into a tiny NGAL factory.

It worked! In lab tests on human skin cells, the modified C. acnes cut oil production in half within two days. On mice, it produced NGAL deep within their hair follicles (where oil comes out) without causing any irritation.

However, testing on humans is still needed. Our skin is different, and more studies are required to ensure this acne-fighting bacteria is safe and effective in real life.

This research was published in Nature Biotechnology.