Phage therapy: fundamental action mechanisms revealed

In an article published in PLoS Genetics, scientists from the Institut Pasteur and the Belgian-based Université catholique de Louvain identify the genetic and metabolic mechanisms underpinning the therapeutic action of bacteriophages for the first time. Given the worrying rise in bacterial resistance to antibiotics and the difficulties in developing effective new molecules, there has been renewed interest within the scientific community in recent years in phage therapy, which makes use of these bacterial viruses. This discovery will contribute to ongoing efforts to develop this alternative therapeutic approach, which has been largely neglected in Western countries.

To find out more, read the press release