Engaging with bacteriophages and celebrating diversity
Posted on December 19, 2024 by Samah E. Alsaadi
Samah E. Alsaadi takes us through their experience as part of a team invited to showcase their work on phages at the first Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition on Tour.
Superheroes of the microbial worlds
Bacteriophages (also known as phages) are viruses that specifically infect bacteria. These remarkable viruses are known as the most abundant and diverse organisms on Earth, with an estimated population of 1031, and they also can be found in nearly every environment where bacteria exist, including soil, water and the human body. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the top global health threats that responsible for million deaths. It is estimated that by 2050, AMR could cause nearly 10 million deaths annually, surpassing even cancer as the leading cause of death worldwide. Phages are playing an increasingly important role in medical applications as alternative tools to address the global crisis of AMR. With antibiotics losing their effectiveness against certain bacteria and some bacteria no longer responding to traditional treatment, phages offer a promising solution.
This summer, I was part of a team from the Universities of Salford and Liverpool, invited to showcase our work on phages at the first Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition on Tour. Being in Jodrell Bank, the centre for astronomical research and the home of the famous iconic Lovell Telescope, created a perfect setting to explore more about science and introduce visitors to a fascinating, less known scientific wonder: phages! When it comes to explaining our theme “Microbial Puppet Masters” to general public audiences, we started asking "Have you heard about viruses?" Quickly, they replied, "Yes! Corona!" Building on this familiar ground, we asked, "Do you think viruses are good or bad?" Naturally and without hesitation, "Viruses are bad!" This response opened the door to introduce the concept that not all viruses are harmful. In fact, some viruses—like bacteriophages—can be incredibly beneficial, in a simpler term, we call them “Superheroes” of the microbial world, describing their ability to target specific bacteria.
Exploring “Microbial Puppet Masters” through hands-on learning
The curiosity we observed across all age groups boosted my confidence to talk more and dive into the fundamental science of phages and how they can specifically target and infect their bacterial hosts. To make the science behind phages come alive, we used different interactive 3-D printed models of bacteria and phages to illustrate the two main lifecycles of phages: the lytic and lysogenic cycles. In the lytic cycle, the phage attaches to a bacterial cell, inject its DNA, and replicates within, killing bacteria to release the new phages. However, the lysogenic cycle allows the phage DNA to integrate into the bacterial genome, introducing new changes to the bacterial host over time. Handling the 3-D models, visitors had the chance to use phages as a “key” to infect bacteria and visualise the changes that occur during infection with their own eyes. This hands-on experience triggered the curiosity of young people and engaged adults to understand how phages, as tiny but powerful agents, could destroy or change bacteria, and by extension – the world.
From science to real-world impact: meaningful interactions
Phages represent a natural, highly specific, and promising solution to fight antimicrobial resistant bacteria. Many visitors were curious about the relationship between viruses and bacteria and linking this to AMR made people fully engaged. Since many people are affected by the rise of AMR, and eager for more information, they were asking how phage therapy works and whether it could be applied now. As a dedicated phage researcher that thinks about phages almost every day, it was interesting to see that although these bacterial viruses were discovered over 100 years ago, they are still largely unknown by the public.
I was fascinated by the number of visitors (over 1,300) across the two days craving more science. The curiosity of one older gentleman had particular impact on me. Introducing phage for him was an immediate interest, and he eagerly asked questions to understand more about phage biology. In fact, he was so keen to know more, that he returned the next day for the public lecture which answered some of his question and even opened doors for more deeper discussions about phages.
I am currently in my final year of my PhD research, which focuses on skin-isolated phages that target Staphylococcus bacteria. I have found that certain skin-resident bacterial species are highly resistant to phage infection, which could create some challenges for developing phage therapy as an alternative to antibiotics. These findings highlight the need for further research to understand the mechanisms behind this resistance and to explore the role of phages within the skin microbiome in maintaining skin health or contributing to its disease.
The power of diversity: science and society
Our experience at the Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition confirmed the importance of public engagement in science. Sharing the wonders of phages with a diverse audience reminded us of the essential role of scientists in bridging the gap between new scientific discovery and the public. Our delivery team brought together researchers of all levels including principal investigators, post-doctoral researchers, PhD students and undergraduates from across the world, each contributing with their unique knowledge and expertise to the event. Just as phage diversity is required for addressing different bacterial challenges, diversity in our teams was essential to engaging with the audience and answering their questions effectively. This diversity was also reflected in our audience from all ages, professions, and interests, each expressing their excitement with thoughtful questions. From children fascinated by phages as “superheroes of the microbial world”, to adults asking more questions about phage biology and phage therapy. Our experience at this exhibition highlighted the need for diversity, both within science and among audience, to build informed and engaged communities ready to embrace future scientific innovations.
