Romanian researchers found a bacterium preserved for about 5,000 years in the Scărișoara Ice Cave. This ancient microbe, named Psychrobacter SC65A.3, can resist 10 modern antibiotics used to treat lung, skin, blood, and urinary infections. The team drilled a 25-meter ice core from the cave’s Great Hall to collect samples without contamination. The bacterium carries over 100 genes linked to antibiotic resistance. It resisted 10 antibiotics from 28 tested, including trimethoprim, clindamycin, and metronidazole, which are common drugs today. Dr Purcarea, a lead researcher, said, "The 10 antibiotics we found resistance to are widely used in oral and injectable therapies used to treat a range of serious bacterial infections in clinical practice." The discovery shows antibiotic resistance existed naturally long before humans invented antibiotics. Scientists warn melting ice may release such ancient bacteria, allowing their resistance genes to mix with modern germs. This adds new challenges in fighting antibiotic resistance worldwide. However, these bacteria also have genes producing substances that kill other microbes and viruses. Dr Purcarea noted, "They produce unique enzymes and antimicrobial compounds that could inspire new antibiotics, industrial enzymes, and other biotechnological innovations." The study highlights the balance between risk and scientific opportunity as climate change exposes hidden life locked in ice. Careful lab handling is critical to safely explore these frozen-time microbes and their secrets.