The Deadliest Entities: Bacteriophages

Overview

• Bacteriophages, or 'phages', are the deadliest entities on Earth.
• Phages are viruses, not quite alive or dead.
• Shape: icosahedron head with leg-like tail fibers.
• More numerous than any other organism.
• Ubiquitous presence, even on human bodies.

Function and Hunting Mechanism

• Host Requirement: Phages need a bacterial host to survive and reproduce.
• Specificity: Phages usually target specific bacteria and their close relatives.
• Attack Process:
  • Attach to bacteria using tail fibers.
  • Inject genetic material into the host.
  • Bacteria produce new phages until burst.
  • Release of new phages continues the cycle.

Historical Context and Medical Use

• Human Relationship: Humans are now investigating phages for medical uses.
• Antibiotics: Previously, fungi-derived antibiotics revolutionized bacterial infection treatment.
• Resistance Issue: Overuse of antibiotics has led to antibiotic-resistant superbugs.
• Superbug Threat: By 2050, superbugs could kill more humans than cancer.

Phages as a Solution

• Specialization: Phages are highly specialized, targeting only specific bacteria.
• Human Safety: Humans are immune to phages due to biological differences.
• Phage vs. Antibiotics:
  • Antibiotics act broadly, killing both bad and good bacteria.
  • Phages are precise, targeting only harmful bacteria.
• Evolutionary Arms Race: Bacteria and phages continuously evolve.
• Resistance Trade-Off: Resistance to phages can reduce bacteria's resistance to antibiotics.

Experimental Treatments and Future

• Case Study: Successful use of phages to treat a patient with antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
• Clinical Trials: Ongoing phage clinical trials aiming for wider medical approval.
• Pharmaceutical Hesitance: Initial reluctance from pharma companies due to lack of approval.
• Future Prospect: Growing attention and investment in phage therapy as antibiotics lose effectiveness.

Conclusion

• The era of antibiotics is ending; phages could be our new powerful tool for fighting bacterial infections.