Keanu Reeves has inspired a group of scientists in Germany – and he’s pretty stoked about it!
The Leibniz Institute for Natural Product has discovered “keanumycins”, an active ingredient from soil bacteria, can kill fungal infections in humans and plants without impacting healthy cells. You see, according to researchers, humans are becoming increasingly resistant to anti-fungals as they’re used so commonly in agricultural fields. So having a chemical that can effectively act as a fungicide? Well, that’s kind of a big deal.
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Plus, with further testing being carried out, it’s possible these keanumycins could be used in fruit and vegetable agriculture to prevent mass harvest loss too.
So why exactly did they name the fungus-killing bacteria after a Hollywood star, you might be wondering?
Speaking to Phys.org, researchers say the keanumycins “kill so efficiently that we named them after Keanu Reeves because he, too, is extremely deadly in his roles.”
Keanu has since reacted to the honour in an “Ask Me Anything” thread on Reddit where he took over the Lionsgate account to promote his latest film, John Wick: Chapter 4:
“Thank you… they should’ve called it John Wick… but that’s pretty cool… and surreal for me. But thanks, scientist people! Good luck, and thank you for helping us.”
The latest instalment of John Wick, which also stars Bill Skarsgárd and Halle Berry, was released in cinemas on March 24, 2023.
(Feature Image Credit: Featureflash Photo Agency/Shutterstock)
*This article was originally posted Mar 9, 2023. It has been updated for clarity and republished on February 5, 2025.
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