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.