The Role of Bacteriophages in Nature

Bacteriophages, or simply phages, are viruses that specifically target and destroy bacteria. Discovered over a century ago, these microscopic entities have become a focal point in the fight against bacterial infections. Phages operate by recognizing specific receptors on the surface of their bacterial hosts. Once attached, they inject their genetic material into the bacterium, hijacking the bacterial machinery to replicate themselves. This process ultimately leads to the lysis, or bursting, of the bacterial cell, releasing new phage particles ready to infect other bacteria.

Bacteriophage Selectivity

Phages are highly selective, meaning they target specific bacterial species without affecting human, plant, or animal cells. This selectivity reduces the risk of collateral damage to the beneficial microbiota in the body. However, this extreme specificity requires the exact matching phage for each particular bacterial application. The virtually infinite number of phages in nature ensures that there is a phage for nearly every bacterial strain, but identifying and utilising the correct one is crucial. Phagestack technology is designed with this in mind, ensuring precise matching of phages to their bacterial targets.

Application Potential

The potential of phage based applications spans all segments of the antibiotics market, including pharmaceuticals, personal health, aquaculture, agriculture, animal husbandry, and food production, storage, and delivery. By harnessing the power of these natural predators, we help our customers to offer sustainable and precise approaches to managing bacterial threats, reaffirming nature's intrinsic ability to maintain balance and health.