THE POWER OF BACTERIOPHAGES
Prepare to embark on a journey into the microscopic world of bacteriophages, nature's mighty warriors against bacterial infections. Bacteriophages, or phages for short, are remarkable viruses that possess the extraordinary ability to target and destroy specific bacteria with surgical precision. With their genetic material encased in a protective protein coat, these microscopic predators seek out their bacterial prey and unleash their potent arsenal. By injecting their genetic material into bacterial cells, bacteriophages hijack the host's machinery, turning it into a phage replication factory. The relentless onslaught leads to the rupture of the infected bacteria, releasing a multitude of newly formed phages ready to seek out and destroy more bacterial targets. The power of bacteriophages lies in their remarkable specificity, their capacity to adapt to evolving bacterial strains, and their potential to provide targeted, sustainable solutions to combat bacterial infections.
The lysis proces of bacteriophages:
Source:NIAID
HISTORY OF BACTERIOPHAGES
Bacteriophages, have a rich and fascinating history that spans over a century of scientific exploration. The story of bacteriophages began in the early 20th century when researchers first observed mysterious agents capable of infecting and killing bacteria. In 1915, the independent discoveries of Frederick Twort in England and Felix d'Herelle in France marked the formal recognition of these viral predators. However, it was d'Herelle who coined the term 'bacteriophage,' meaning 'bacteria-eater,' to describe these intriguing entities. Throughout the 1920s and 1930s, the potential of bacteriophages as therapeutic agents against bacterial infections gained attention, particularly in Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union. However, the advent of antibiotics overshadowed phage research in Western medicine. In recent decades, with the rise of antibiotic resistance and the growing recognition of phages' specificity and self-replicating nature, interest in phage therapy has resurged. Today, ongoing research and advancements continue to illuminate the immense potential of bacteriophages in combatting bacterial infections and shaping the future of medicine.
