The History of Bacteriophages

Bacteriophages may very well be considered the deadliest thing to exist on planet Earth. Phages outnumber the amount of every other organism combined (even bacteria), and can be found everywhere living things exist (including billions on your hands and face right now!). However, bacteriophages aren't to be feared by living organisms because they only target and kill bacteria. They are specialized killers that target specific bacteria, puncture the surface of the bacteria, and squeeze their DNA into it. The phage doesn't stop replicating inside of the bacteria until it is completely full and the bacteria bursts (This happens within minutes!). The bacteriophage was discovered by scientists in 1915, and in 1917 it was found that they selectively killed bacteria. Although, after the accidental discovery of antibiotics (such as the development of penicillin), bacteriophages were overlooked and medical attention fell solely on antibiotics. People became extremely dependent on antibiotics, and to this day we are using them for less and less serious conditions. For example, antibiotics are used by people for something as small as a runny nose or headache. Unlike bacteriophages that target specific and harmful bacteria, antibiotics attack both the good and bad bacteria. Also, like all other living things, bacteria can evolve (and they do so quickly). This means that the more we utilize antibiotics, the quicker antibiotics become resistant to that antibiotic. Though overlooked in the past, we may find in the near future that bacteriophages are crucial to human medical care and survival.




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