Tuesday 17 September 2024

In Our Time

 

In Our Time

Atomic structural model of bacteriophage T4

Image courtesy Wikimedia Commons

‘In Our Time’ is a BBC radio 4 discussion programme, hosted by Melvyn Bragg. It covers a variety of interesting subjects, inviting experts in their field to discuss such topics as science, history, and philosophy, among other things. They can be accessed as podcasts.

One recent podcast discussed bacteriophages, usually referred to as phages. Bacteriophages are bacteria eaters and were discovered in the early 20th century, although it had been observed in 1896 that ‘something’ unspecified, had effected antibacterial action against cholera in India.

 Bacteriophages are viruses that specifically target bacteria and are the most abundant life form on earth. They are found in the depths of the ocean, in the soil and in the human gut and in countless other places. They outnumber bacterial cells in the order of 10 to 1. For example, there are one trillion bacteriophages for every grain of sand in the world.

About five million people die from bacterial infection every year, and it is estimated that that number will rise to ten million by 2050. That is only twenty-six years away.

Maybe phages will be the answer to antimicrobial resistance. There is more information here.

                                                                         

20 comments:

  1. So are they helpful or harmful? Interesting post.

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    1. Potentially extremely helpful - research is ongoing.

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  2. That is amazing...I am off to read!

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    1. These are the things that should be in the forefront of news reporting.

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  3. I hope some scientists are looking into them, they seem like a good thing to know more about.

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    1. Research continues, but it's intricate and time-consuming. It should be prioritised, in my opinion.

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  4. Hooray for programmes like 'In Our Time'!
    Cheers, Gail.

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    1. I like this programme, and 'Life Scientific' - there's always more to learn.

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  5. The last time I read about bacteriophage is when I used to study microbiology in uni. There are hardly any advances in application of this though

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    1. I think quite a lot of research is being undertaken. It takes so long before new treatments can be used, rightly so, for they must be shown to be safe.

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  6. You find the most fascinating things! The model is extraordinary! Quite a sobering thought on those statistics. I have heard as much over here. Well, touching wood we all stay healthy and the scientists will find a way. Lots of stumbling blocks out there unfortunately but I live in hope. Thank you for the link also.

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    1. I thought the model had a beauty all of its own.

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  7. A potential alternative to antibiotics?

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    1. Yes, but they are much more specific than antibiotics.

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  8. Very interesting I sort of remember being told about these when I training to be a nurse in the 60s.

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  9. They have been known about for a very long time.

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  10. I'm sure that I read about phage treatment as a last resort against antibiotic resistant infections some time ago, but haven't seen anything in a while.

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  11. What a fascinating topic, I'd never heard of bacteriophages ... xxx

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  12. Clever stuff and totally new to me too. xx

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  13. You do find some very interesting topics.
    Many thanks for the link.

    All the best Jan

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