Scientists are seeking alternatives to antibiotics, in a growing effort to head off the tide of incurable bacterial infections. In their work, the group has turned to bacteriophages, a naturally occurring group of viruses that colonize on bacteria.
By
taking advantage of the bacteriophages' ability to home in on specific bacteria
without damaging the rest of the microbiome, the researchers were able to use a
combination of gold nanorods and near-infrared light to destroy even
multidrug-resistant bacteria without antibiotics.
A bacteriophage, also known informally as a phage (/feɪdʒ/), is a virus that infects and replicates within bacteria and archaea. The term was derived from "bacteria" and the Greek φαγεῖν (phagein), meaning "to devour".
A bacteriophage, also known informally as a phage (/feɪdʒ/), is a virus that infects and replicates within bacteria and archaea. The term was derived from "bacteria" and the Greek φαγεῖν (phagein), meaning "to devour".
Among the
unresolved issues of phage therapy is the incomplete characterization of the
phages' biology -- a biology that could allow for unintended consequences due
to the phages' own rapid evolution and reproduction, as well as potential
toxins the viruses may carry. Another issue is the all-or-nothing aspect of
phage therapy.
See:
Posted by Dr. Tim Sandle, Pharmaceutical Microbiology Resources (http://www.pharmamicroresources.com/)
No comments:
Post a comment
Pharmaceutical Microbiology Resources