In a pioneering public science initiative, researchers at the University of Southampton invite UK citizens to help tackle antibacterial resistance (AMR), one of the biggest medical threats of our time.
At the Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition in London, they are beginning a national hunt for bacteriophages – microscopic viruses that infect and kill bacteria – form the basis of a powerful alternative to antibiotic failure.
Through practical participation, visitors will become part of cutting-edge scientific efforts that could shape the future of phage therapy and change the trend in the global battle with AMR.
Commenting on the Landmark Initiative, Dr. Franklin Nobrega, the project’s lead researcher, said: “The threat of antibacterial resistance is increasing year by year, and alternative treatments need to be urgently found to reduce our dependence on antibiotics.
“There’s a great potential for phages. They’re everywhere and can provide a very accurate and targeted treatment for resistant infections.”
“We know that phage therapy is effective in treating resistant infections, but there are billions of different phages each targeting a specific microorganism.
“Finding more of these phages can improve your chances of breaking AMR. In this weapons race, in competition with resistant bacteria, all the new phages we discover will add valuable weapons to our arsenal.”
What is phage therapy?
Phage therapy is a rapidly emerging area of medical research focusing on the use of viruses that infect bacteria known as bacteria as alternatives or complements to antibiotics.
Unlike traditional antibiotics, phages are highly selective and target specific bacterial strains without disturbing beneficial microorganisms. It also creates self-amplification treatments that replicate at the site of infection and last until harmful bacteria are eradicated.
This accuracy and sustainability make phage therapy a promising tool in the global battle with AMR, a public health threat identified as one of the global health emergencies identified by the World Health Organization (WHO).
AMR Crisis: Why New Solutions Is Emergency Needed?
Antibacterial resistance occurs when bacteria evolve to resist the effects of antibiotics, and many traditional treatments are not effective.
The outcome is tough. In 2021, AMR was directly responsible for more than 1 million deaths worldwide, contributing to more than 4.7 million deaths.
Beyond human sacrifices, AMR threatens the safety of routine medical procedures, from chemotherapy and organ transplants to caesarean sections and dental surgery by increasing the risk of intact infections.
As antibiotics lose their effectiveness, the need for innovative alternatives like phage therapy is becoming increasingly urgent.
Search for Super Bug Solutions
Researchers at the University of Southampton are offering over 500 visitors the opportunity to participate in live scientific research at an exhibition booth entitled Fighting Superbug.
Participants will receive a free phage sampling kit and are asked to collect water samples from various locations, including kitchen taps, local ponds, rivers, and even toilets.
Participants return samples to the Southampton Lab for analysis, and researchers search for new phages that can fight drug-resistant bacteria.
Participants can even name the phages discovered in the sample and upload the collection site location to the dedicated platform, Phage-collection.org.
This project illustrates a new model of collaborative science. Collaborative science has played an active role in the shocking research of the people.
From science fairs to the forefront
This initiative is coming at a crucial time. In the UK, phage therapy is permitted under a regulatory route for unlicensed use in individual patients.
Recent guidance from the Medicine and Healthcare Product Regulatory Agency (MHRA) also paves the way for approved phage-based therapies to enter wider clinical use.
Until now, phage therapy has successfully treated patients in the UK and around the world, a life-threatening infectious disease that failed to respond to antibiotics.
These include complex conditions such as bone infections, sepsis, and cystic fibrosis-related pulmonary infections.
Beyond sample collection, the exhibition offers an immersive educational experience. Visitors can jump into virtual reality simulations to see how phage therapy works in the body, build their own Legophage models, and have live discussions with scientists about the future of superbug therapy.
The research team also uses this feedback to collect public opinion regarding the acceptability of phage therapy to inform future treatment design and delivery.
National effort in production
The University of Southampton initiative is more than just an exhibition. This is a call to action.
By turning the UK public into collaborators in searching for next-generation drugs, researchers hope to accelerate the discovery of effective phages and build broader support for alternative therapies that could overturn AMR.
As antibiotic resistance continues to threaten global health, phage therapy and public involvement may be the powerful combination needed to turn the tide.
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