Ancient Bacteriophages Offer New Hope Against Superbugs

Imperial College London researchers discovered how 'pirate phages' hijack other viruses to transfer genetic material between bacteria, potentially advancing new treatments for drug-resistant infections and enhancing rapid diagnostics. They found that cf-PICIs hijack tails from unrelated phages to broaden their host range, facilitating the spread of resistance traits. This understanding could lead to innovative therapies and diagnostic tools, with ongoing efforts to develop applications and validate AI-driven research acceleration.,