Biology: phage therapy

Tutoring biology, applications arise. The tutor mentions phage therapy.

Phage therapy is an elegant way to tackle harmful bacteria. It involves using a virus, called a bacteriophage or simply a phage, that attacks a specific type of bacteria.

Phages don’t attack animal or plant cells, but only bacterial ones. Theoretically, a phage can be administered to a human who has a bacterial infection. The phage will be chosen as a type that specifically attacks the bacteria that is infecting the human. The phage will cure the bacterial infection.

Phage therapy offers a couple of promising advantages. Since a phage can be chosen to attack only a specific type of bacteria, beneficial bacteria will likely survive it. Moreover, phages are candidates to fight antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Except for clinical trials, phage therapy isn’t available in Canada, the US or Europe. Interestingly, the FDA does allow its use by the food industry to suppress bacteria, such as Salmonella or E. coli, in foods.

Source:

healthline.com

uottawa.ca