Bacteriophage therapy, a potential lifesaving treatment, has now become more accessible to clinicians thanks to a new technology developed by researchers.
Phages, beneficial viruses that naturally combat bacteria, offer hope in treating antimicrobial-resistant infections where antibiotics often fail.
Researchers at McMaster University have introduced an innovative method to efficiently store, identify, and share phages, making them more readily available for patients in need.
This breakthrough technology allows for rapid screening of hundreds or thousands of phages within two hours, determining the most suitable phage to combat a specific infection.
The study detailing this development is published in the journal Nature Communications.
Bacteriophages, or phages, are specialized viruses that target specific strains of bacteria, presenting a promising alternative in the face of escalating antibiotic resistance globally. Unlike antibiotics, phages exclusively attack harmful bacteria, leaving beneficial bacteria unharmed.
The main challenge in harnessing the full potential of phages lies in the lack of quick access to diverse phage collections.
To address this issue, researchers have devised a dry storage platform that serves as a core component of their convenient system for swiftly identifying phages effective against specific infections.
Historically, the development of phage potential was stunted in the mid-20th century with the rise of antibiotics, but with antibiotic efficacy diminishing due to extensive use, interest in phages is reigniting.
The key innovation behind this new system is a novel pill-like medium that preserves phages without the need for refrigeration. This medium also contains an indicator that illuminates upon successful phage interaction with a target infection.
The technology enables phages to be stored at room temperature for an extended period, merging a biobank and testing lab into a compact, portable solution.
By utilizing a portable testing tray, researchers can simultaneously examine numerous phage samples and swiftly identify matches for urgent situations.
This advancement streamlines the process of identifying candidate phages for treatment, eliminating the current need for hasty searches in emergency medical scenarios.
The researchers collaborated with experts in the field to bring this technology to fruition and are now exploring its potential applications beyond medical settings, such as in agriculture.
If successfully implemented, this technology has the potential to revolutionize phage utilization across various sectors, marking a significant step in the fight against antibiotic resistance.
