Teddies Talks Biology - Issue 9

Tom Phillips— 4 th Form

For about 100 years we have used antibiotics to treat all kinds of bacterial infections. They have served us well throughout the 20 th and 21 st centuries. However, like all living things, some bacteria have evolved to become resistant to antibiotics. Our next hope is to use the biggest killer of planet earth, viruses, to help us defeat super bugs.

These viruses are called bacteriophage, a very small structure of protein and DNA. They are not living as, like all virus- es, they need a host cell to reproduce. Bacteriophage inject their genetic materi- al into certain types of bacteria and con- trol the ribosomes in the bacteria to cre- ate more of itself. The virus produces en- dolysin, an enzyme which makes the bacteria explode and kills the cell. The process is then repeated. Bacteriophage have evolved to only target particular types of bacteria. Some have been dis- covered to aim for superbugs. But what are superbugs and how have we got to this point where drugs on the market now cannot kill these bacteria?

Bacteria are living things, like us they evolved to become better adapted to the surrounded to their environment. About 100 years ago Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin, a fungus that can kill bacteria. However recently we have been using antibiotics for less harmful bacteria in- fections, therefore the bacteria have become resistant to our drugs and have evolved into stronger bacteria that is supposedly indestructible. In fact, it is estimated that more people will die from Superbugs in 2050 than from cancer. Superbugs are a threat, but what can we do? This is when Bacteriophage come into play. Scientists are looking more than ever to use Bacteriophage to help us defeat superbugs, as some of these Bacteriophages use these superbugs as hosts. Unlike antibiotics the Bacterio- phage only specialise in one bacterium, meaning they would not be able to take over any good bacteria in our body that we need or our cells, but only superbugs. Antibiotics kill all types of bacteria. The use of these viruses is still in the experimental stage, but there was a man who had a chest infection of a type of superbug and the doctors used an experimental dose of a bacteriophage to kill the bacteria in his chest. He managed to survive, showing the potential these viruses must save lives.

The idea of using bacteriophage to kill superbugs is still in the experimental stage. However, there is much hope for these viruses. For hospitals to widely use them, regulatory bodies will have to approve them for general use. Scientists are working hard to make it safe. The future is looking hopeful for using bacteriophage to kill superbugs.

Teddies Talks Biology I Issue 9 I June 2021

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