Irish teen wins top science prize for blackberry antibiotic that fights resistant bacteria

A high school student from Cork has a new antibiotic from blackberries that fights killer antibiotic-resistant MRSA.

A 15-year-old science student Simon Meehan of Coláiste Choilm won first place in the 54th BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition. His discovery that the chemicals found within blackberries could form antibiotics that kills Staphylococcus aureus - often known as the MRSA virus which that is well known for being resistant to antibiotics.

And he says his grandfather - a herbalist - was the inspiration that kept him going, keeping a frame picture of him at his side while he worked.

“I can’t tell you how I feel, out of my mind, I’m dreaming!” he said after his win was announced. https://www.irishcentral.com/news/community/top-science-prize-irish-boy-discovered-new-antibiotic-blackberries