This Podcast Will Kill You Special Episode: Lina Zeldovich & The Living Medicine
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Aug 26, 2025 Lina Zeldovich, a journalist and author of *The Living Medicine*, sheds light on phage therapy, an innovative treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections. She discusses the rise of antimicrobial resistance and how this forgotten cure, used since before antibiotics, is making a comeback. The conversation dives into the fascinating history of phage therapy, including its development during World War II and the political challenges it faced. Zeldovich advocates for this solution as a vital alternative to combat the growing healthcare crisis.
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Phages Are Bacteria-Only Viral Allies
- Bacteriophages are viruses that only infect bacteria and can be used as targeted alternatives to antibiotics.
- Their specificity and co-evolution with bacteria make them potent tools against antibiotic-resistant infections.
Finding And Growing Therapeutic Phages
- Scientists isolate phages from environments rich in bacteria like sewage, soil, and rivers.
- They grow host bacteria, inoculate with phages, then purify the resulting phage-rich broth for therapeutic use.
Purify Phages Before IV Use
- Purify phage preparations before intravenous use to remove bacterial debris and toxins.
- Use specialized high-speed centrifugation and clean formulations to avoid immune reactions during IV administration.
