Empowering citizen scientists to advance phage therapy research and combat the antimicrobial resistance crisis

Our aims and goals

Antimicrobial resistance poses a significant threat to global health. As antibiotics become less effective at treating bacterial infections we require new therapies to be researched and developed to help overcome the issue.

Phages, viruses which only infect and kill bacteria, may provide us with an answer!

The Phage Collection Project is a citizen science initiative run by Early Career Researchers at the University of Southampton. The project aims to investigate the therapeutic potential of phages and tackle the antimicrobial resistance crisis with the support of citizen scientists.

Our project consists of three key aims:

1. EDUCATE

Teach about the growing problem of antimicrobial resistance and generate enthusiasm for phages as a new way to treat infections. We focus on making this information accessible and engaging, encouraging everyone to actively support and consider phage therapy.
2. BIOBANK

We have established collaborative partnerships with clinical laboratories globally to create a biobank, a comprehensive collection of clinical bacterial strains from various regions worldwide. This diverse collection aids us in isolating phages effectively for our research endeavours.
3. ENGAGE

Advocating the use of phage therapy to policymakers and key stakeholders to increase the funding for research and availability as a last resort experimental medicine in the UK. We would like to see the implementation of phage therapy within the UK healthcare framework.

Many thanks to Professor Edze Westra, Dr Liz Sheridan, Dr Antonia Sagona, Professor Martha Clokie and Professor Saul Faust for collaborating on this video with us.

Support us in advancing phage therapy

By 2050, antimicrobial resistance could be responsible for 10 million deaths per year. With your help, we can strengthen phage therapy research and combat superbugs.

All donations we receive will support the shipping costs associated with our Phage Sampling Initiative. The funds will enable us to receive more samples from citizen scientists worldwide and find the next phage that can help treat and save a patient's life.

Donate