Cocaine-Busting, Mutant Enzyme Could Treat Overdoses

In the battle against cocaine overdoses and addiction, say hello to scientists' little friend: a mutated enzyme with an appetite for coke. Roughly 500,000 people visit the emergency room every year as a result of cocaine overdoses in the United States, but there isn't a single Food and Drug Administration-approved medication to treat cocaine toxicity -- yet. Researchers have discovered a promising therapy by molecularly strengthening cocaine esterase, a natural enzyme that powers bacteria fo