Phages utilised for phage therapy can be extremely important for treating bacterial infections, especially those which are resistant to antibiotics. However, this is not their only application! Phages can provide a wide range of benefits across multiple sectors. Let’s explore some of the ways phages are being used not only in healthcare settings but throughout various industries to!

Combating food waste

Did you know that over 10% of food production worldwide is lost due to plant pathogens each year?(1). Bacteria specifically are responsible for a lot of this food waste, negatively impacting food security(1). To try and overcome this significant global issue scientists are trialling the use of phages. For example, scientists in Russia have been applying phage products to potatoes in storage to prevent soft rot and consequently reduce crop loss(1). This specific application of phages in agriculture is an exciting opportunity to help us combat food waste and tackle food insecurity in the future!

Photo: Shutterstock/Leitenberger Photography

Making a splash in aquaculture

Alongside their use in agriculture, phages are being utilised in aquaculture! Phages can be added to the water and food of aquacultures, or injected into the fish directly to help reduce disease(2). In Norway phages are currently being utilised to stop yersinosis infection in salmon(1), a disease that has previously been responsible for hindering the aquaculture industry in countries such as Australia(3). Rather than relying on antibiotics to control disease outbreaks in aquacultures, which can in turn promote the evolution of antibiotic-resistant bacteria(1), phages could provide us with a suitable alternative for reducing disease in fish without contributing to antimicrobial resistance!

Breaking down biofilms

Bacterial biofilms can be tough to crack. Think of them as a bundle of microbes that cling onto solid surfaces, whether that’s inside our bodies, like the plaque on our teeth, or on various everyday objects(4). In healthcare settings biofilms pose a significant problem(5). They are responsible for causing dangerous infections in patients, negatively impacting individuals’ wellbeing and placing a burden on healthcare infrastructure(5). Unfortunately, biofilms can be difficult to treat with antibiotics because they possess protective structures which help to increase their resistance(6). However, this is where phages can come in. Phages have the power to produce molecules known as enzymes(6). Some of these enzymes can breakdown the protective structures that biofilms possess, reaching areas which antibiotics cannot, consequently helping to weaken the biofilms defence(6). This makes phages a promising solution for treating stubborn infections caused by biofilms, helping to improve patient health and wellbeing.

Shaping the future of immunity

Vaccines have been one of our most powerful tools to fight infectious diseases, from the MMR vaccine, to more recently the COVID-19 vaccinations. However, while vaccines have been highly effective, developing them in a cost-efficient, safe manner, at large scales still remains a real challenge(7). Phages are emerging as potential game-changers for overcoming these challenges, making them an ideal candidate for vaccine applications(7). It has been estimated that that phage-based vaccinations could reduce vaccine costs by up to 55% compared to some traditional vaccine types(7). Although more research is required into phage-based vaccinations(7), such vaccines could bring us closer to more affordable and accessible vaccines, helping to reduce healthcare inequalities worldwide.

Whilst phages are gaining their well-deserved attention for their ability to fight and kill antibiotic-resistant bacteria, it is also important that we acknowledge their potential across a variety of sectors. Whether this be managing bacterial outbreaks in aquacultures or promoting sustainable agriculture, the versatility of phages offers us with solutions which tackle numerous global challenges. The future of phages is bright, offering sustainable solutions for a variety of sectors.

References

1. Hodges, F. Scales, J. The application of bacteriophages in the African AgriFood sector. [online]. UKRI Innovate UK Business Connect. 2024. [Accessed 2024, October 23]. Available at: https://iuk-business-connect.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/The-application-of-bacteriophages-in-the-African-AgriFood-sector_Innovate-UK.pdf

2. Garvey, M. Bacteriophages and Food Production: Biocontrol and Bio-Preservation Options for Food Safety. Antibiotics. 2022. 11(10). pp. 1-16. [Accessed 2024, October 23]. https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics11101324

3. Taylor, RS. Carvalheiro, R. Patchett, AL. Verbyla, KL. Carson, J. Wynne, JW et al., Genetic and genomic analysis of resistance to yersiniosis in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) assessed by tank challenge. Aquaculture. 2023. 564. pp. 1-12. [Accessed 2024, October 23]. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2022.739088

4. Donlan, RM. Biofilms: Microbial Life on Surfaces. Emerging Infectious Diseases. 2002. 8(9). pp. 881-890. [Accessed 2024, October 23]. DOI: 10.3201/eid0809.020063

5. Cámara, M. Green, W. MacPhee, CE. Rakowska, PD. Raval, R. Richardson, MC et al., Economic significance of biofilms: a multidisciplinary and cross-sectoral challenge. npj Biofilms and Microbiomes. 2022. 8(1). pp. 1-8. [Accessed 2024, October 23]. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41522-022-00306-y

6. Kovacs, CJ. Rapp, EM. McKenzie, SM. Mazur, MZ. Mchale, RP. Brasko, B et al., Disruption of Biofilm by Bacteriophages in Clinically Relevant Settings. Military Medicine. 2024. 189(5-6). pp. e1294-e1302. [Accessed 2024, October 23]. https://doi.org/10.1093/milmed/usad385

7. González-Mora, A. Hernández-Pérez, J. Iqbal, HMN. Rito-Palomares, M. Benavides, J. Bacteriophage-Based Vaccines: A Potent Approach for Antigen Delivery. Vaccines. 2020. 8(3). pp. 1-24. [Accessed 2024, October 2023]. DOI: 10.3390/vaccines8030504

The information and opinions expressed in this blog post represent those of the original author of the blog. They do not necessarily reflect and represent the views and opinions of the Phage Collection Project or its staff.

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