Incubation
Phages: Bacteria’s Worst Nightmare
Oct 26, 2023
Author Tom Ireland joins the show to discuss the fascinating world of bacteriophages, also known as phages. Ben Chan tells the story of putting phages to use in a high-stakes case. Can phages help us fight antibiotic-resistant infections?
30:13
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Quick takeaways
- Phages, or bacteria phages, are viruses that kill bacteria and are now being used to treat infections that cannot be cured with antibiotics.
- Phage therapy offers an alternative to antibiotics in the fight against antibiotic-resistant bacteria, with the potential to revolutionize infection management and provide hope in the face of antibiotic resistance.
Deep dives
Phages: The Good Viruses
Phages, or bacteria phages, are viruses that kill bacteria and are now being used to treat infections that cannot be cured with antibiotics. The World Economic Forum named phage therapy as one of the top 10 emerging technologies for 2023. Phages have a unique structure with a 20-sided head that contains the DNA and a long tail that acts as a molecular syringe to inject genes into bacteria. Phages have been used in medicine since the 20s and 30s but lost popularity with the rise of antibiotics. However, with the growing issue of antibiotic resistance, phage therapy is gaining attention as a potential solution.
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