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. The Phage Collection Project is a citizen science initiative run by Early Career Researchers at the University of Southampton. The project aims to advance phage therapy research and help tackle antimicrobial resistance through 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.

The Importance of Citizen Science Initiatives

Citizen Science refers to when members of the public involve themselves in science projects, and is a crucial tool for advancing scientific research.

Whilst there can be many barriers which can hinder individuals engaging with science, at the Phage Collection Project we hope that we can overcome these obstacles and deliver an initiative which is centred around the public.