Bacteriophage News and Research

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Bacteriophages are small, virus-like organisms that infect bacteria. They are comprised of a protein capsule around an RNA or DNA genome.

How the gut microbiome links obesity to colorectal cancer

The gut microbiome serves as both a biomarker and therapeutic target in diseases like obesity, metabolic syndrome, and colorectal cancer.

28 Nov 2025

Revolutionizing therapeutic protein design with synthetic biology

In medicine and biotechnology, the ability to evolve proteins with new or improved functions is crucial, but current methods are often slow and laborious.

8 Aug 2025

Vaginal microbiome fights back against stubborn BV infections

Vaginal microbiome-drug interactions affect antibiotic treatment for bacterial vaginosis, emphasizing the need for personalized approaches to enhance efficacy.

3 Jul 2025

Engineered viruses and gene therapy halt tumor growth and extend survival in mice

This study reveals the potential of engineered phage-IL-12 therapy in melanoma, enhancing immune response and tumor destruction in aggressive cancer models.

2 Jun 2025

Study: Jumbo phages utilize EPI vesicles to evade bacterial immune response

In a growing global trend, bacteria have evolved new ways to maneuver around medical treatments for a variety of infections. The rising antibiotic resistance crisis poses a significant public health threat in hospitals and other settings, with infections resulting in millions of deaths in recent years.

4 Apr 2025

How gut microbiota impacts childhood obesity

Gut microbiota plays a critical role in childhood obesity by influencing energy metabolism, inflammation, and appetite regulation, with emerging therapeutic strategies like probiotics, dietary interventions, and fecal microbiota transplantation showing promise.

21 Jan 2025

Fruit flies steal bacterial defense to survive parasitic wasps

In the continual arms race between parasites and their hosts, innovation was thought to be the key to a successful attack or defense that one-ups the competition.

24 Dec 2024

McMaster University develops fast and easy test for bacteria detection in fluids

A novel new test for bacteria in fluids makes it as easy as observing a color change to confirm the presence of disease-causing pathogens, promising much easier diagnostic tests and greater food safety.

26 Nov 2024

Targeted bacteriophages offer standardized and scalable GI therapy

In a new study, researchers at the University of Copenhagen have been cultivating 'good viruses' from feces. The goal is to replace fecal capsules now being used in so-called fecal transplants. Their new technique has shown potential in studies with mice and the hope is that it will improve this life-saving treatment through standardization and pave its way toward mainstream medicine.

5 Nov 2024

Study uncovers key role of gut microbiota in regulating stress responses

A pioneering study has uncovered the vital role that gut microbiota plays in regulating stress responses by interacting with the body's circadian rhythms.

5 Nov 2024

Bacteriophages unveil auxiliary genes critical for infection

Viruses that infect bacteria—known as bacteriophages - could be used in a targeted manner to combat bacterial diseases.

16 Oct 2024

New strategy uses bacteriophages to combat drug-resistant infections

Researchers have a new battle tactic to fight drug-resistant bacterial infections. Their strategy involves using collections of bacteriophages, viruses that naturally attack bacteria.

4 Oct 2024

HKUST researchers unveil eco-friendly disinfectant alternative to chloroxylenol

A widely used disinfectant worldwide, chloroxylenol, has been associated with eco-toxicological threats in water environments due to its relatively high chemical stability and massive consumption.

6 Sep 2024

Researchers develop a simple new way to store, identify, and share phages

The great promise of bacteriophages is that they naturally destroy bacteria, often in situations where antibiotics fail.

12 Jul 2024

Protein nanocages: A promising frontier in mRNA therapeutics

In recent years, messenger RNA (mRNA) has emerged as a promising avenue for accurate and potent therapeutic interventions. Unlike DNA drugs, mRNA can express genetic information without the risk of integrating into the host genome.

3 Jul 2024

Scripps Research professor emeritus John Johnson selected as member of the National Academy of Sciences

Scripps Research professor emeritus John Johnson, PhD, has been elected to the National Academy of Sciences—one of the highest honors given to scientists.

11 May 2024

MSU team creates a promising vaccine candidate for antibiotic-resistant bacteria

Driven by the overuse of antimicrobials, pathogens are quickly building up resistances to once-successful treatments.

24 Apr 2024

Bacteriophage-derived lysin could be used to target odor-causing bacteria in armpits

Body odor from the armpits comes from bacteria metabolizing sweat produced by the apocrine glands. These bacteria are native to our skin, but the odors produced differ among people.

23 Apr 2024

Texas A&M scientists elucidate how phages disarm antibiotic-resistant bacteria

Bacterial infections pose significant challenges to agriculture and medicine, especially as cases of antibiotic-resistant bacteria continue to rise.

15 Apr 2024

T1-spanin breakthrough offers new hope against antibiotic resistance

Given the worldwide prevalence of drug-resistant bacteria, the research fraternity is on the lookout for alternative bactericidal treatment approaches.

12 Mar 2024