Crocodiles could save us from deadly infections, study

Crocodilians are an order of ancient reptiles that thrive in pathogen-rich environments. They can inhabit these harsh environments. This ability is indicative of a resilient innate immune system. Defensins, a family of cysteine-rich cationic host defense peptides, are a significant component of the innate immune systems of all plant and animal species; however, crocodilian defensins …