They might look like something out of a horror movie, but these naturally occurring "spider viruses", better known as #Bacteriophages, could be a powerful new weapon to tackle the growing threat of #AMR 🦠 https://lnkd.in/eSwQSCQs
A great researcher on bacteriophages is my Belgian colleague Jean-Paul Pirnay , Who came to the UK back in twenty-eighteen, To speak on his research to NATO colleagues, And also remind us these clever creatures, Have been used by us in the past instead of leeches, Phages were found in the trenches of World War One, When Felix d’Herelle investigated the dysenteric woes, Of ten French Infantrymen and to his surprise discovered, A bacteria killing virus invisible and like no other, Our very own Frederick Twort also had similar findings, But the War effort meant his grant was suspended, Fast forward to now and what does this mean, In an era where bacteria are increasingly sneaky, And our sickest patients like those with burns, Are at risk of dying from sepsis caused by germs, Phage therapy is a promising development, For targeted therapies that resist resistance, Cause phages have been around as long as bacteria, But we still have to get over a lot of hurdles of research and regulation, Before these clever spiders become routine treatments.
I would prefer just calling them bacteriophages and not this colloquial language 🙏
Eco friendly predators !! 😉
What about targeting biofilms and microbiomes for other diseases?
Interesting insight Malcolm, thank you for sharing
Highly specific heroes!
Experienced biotech business executive and advisor; author and editor
1moSpider viruses? That’s a new one…