Bakteerfagien

Bakteerfagien, commonly referred to as bacteriophages or simply phages, are viruses that specifically infect and replicate within bacteria. They are among the most abundant biological entities on Earth, found in virtually every environment where bacteria exist, including soil, water, and even the human gut. Bacteriophages are obligate intracellular parasites, meaning they require a host bacterium to reproduce.

The life cycle of a bacteriophage typically involves attachment to a specific receptor on the bacterial cell surface. Once attached, the phage injects its genetic material, usually DNA, into the host. Inside the bacterium, the phage's genetic material hijacks the host's cellular machinery to replicate itself and produce new phage particles. This process can lead to two main outcomes: the lytic cycle, where the host cell is destroyed (lysis) to release newly formed phages, or the lysogenic cycle, where the phage DNA integrates into the bacterial genome and replicates along with it, without immediately killing the host.

Bacteriophages have garnered significant scientific interest due to their potential applications, particularly in the field of medicine. Phage therapy, the use of bacteriophages to treat bacterial infections, is being explored as an alternative or supplement to antibiotics, especially in the face of rising antibiotic resistance. Their specificity for bacterial targets offers a precise approach to combating infections, potentially minimizing harm to beneficial bacteria. Research continues to investigate their mechanisms of action and therapeutic efficacy.