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The Deadliest Entities: Bacteriophages
Jun 29, 2024
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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.
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