Question

Can bacteriophages kill superbugs?

Answer 1

Bacteriophages:

1. Bacteriophage is a type of virus that infects bacteria.
2. Bacteriophages get attached to the surface of the host cell and infect it.
3. Phage follows two life cycles- lytic and lysogenic cycles.
4. In the lytic cycle, the phage takes over the host machinery of the cell and makes phage components.
5. Then lysis occurs in the cell and releases multiple new phages.
6. In the lysogenic cycle, the phage incorporates into the chromosome of the host cell and replicates.
7. Lysogenic phages can be induced to follow a lytic cycle.

Superbugs:

1. Superbugs are strains of bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi that are resistant to most antibiotics and other medications.
2. Superbugs are resistant bacteria that cause pneumonia, urinary tract infections, and skin diseases.

Phage therapy:

1. Phage therapy is also known as bacteriophage therapy.
2. Bacteriophages kill bacteria by making them burst or lyse.
3. This happens when the virus binds to the bacteria and injects its genes (DNA or RNA).