Daniel and Kelly’s Extraordinary Universe

Phage therapy (featuring Dr. Katrine Whiteson)

49 snips
Aug 28, 2025
In this enlightening discussion, Dr. Katrine Whiteson, a Professor and Chancellor's Fellow at UC Irvine who specializes in microbial communities, unveils the revolutionary potential of phage therapy. She explains how we can harness viruses to combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The conversation digs into the complex interplay between bacteria and phages, the challenges of antibiotic resistance, and the innovative methods being developed to source therapeutic phages. Dr. Whiteson also shares fascinating insights about the implications of this research for global health.
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INSIGHT

How Antibiotics Actually Work

  • Antibiotics either halt growth (bacteriostatic) or kill bacteria (bactericidal).
  • They work with the immune system to clear infections within days for many patients.
INSIGHT

Antibiotics Often Hit Friend And Foe

  • Many antibiotics are broad-spectrum and kill non-harmful microbes alongside pathogens.
  • This collateral damage can harm the microbiome and enable opportunistic infections.
INSIGHT

Antibiotic Resistance Is Predictable

  • Resistance emerges quickly after new antibiotics are used, historically within years.
  • A stalled discovery pipeline and poor financial incentives slowed new antibiotic development.
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