Researchers are attempting to develop new types of antibiotics that will be effective against resistant strains. These new antibiotics would target the bacteria's ability to become virulent and infect the host cell . Researchers at Brandeis University have discovered that bacteria have protein "switches" that when activated, turn "ordinary" bacteria into pathogenic organisms. These switches are unique in bacteria and are not present in humans. Since the switch is a short-lived protein, elucidating its structure and function was particularly difficult. Using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, the researchers were able to regenerate the protein for one and one half days. By extending the time frame that the protein was in its "active state," the researchers were able to map out its structure. The discovery of these "switches" has provided a new target for the development of antibiotics which focus on disrupting the activation of the protein switches.