After two bacteriophages isolated from a natural pond on the Near East University campus and entered the scientific literature with the code NEU, a third bacteriophage discovery has been made. The “phage cocktail” to be formed by combining three bacteriophages will neutralize multiple strains of the antibiotic-resistant “Pseudomonas aeruginosa” bacteria.
Near East University’s scientific studies against antibiotic resistance continue to offer innovative solutions. A new one has been added to the bacteriophages they isolated from a natural pond on the Near East University campus against antibiotic-resistant hospital infections. Following the bacteriophages previously registered as “Pseudomonas phage NEU2023” and “Pseudomonas phage NEU2024” and entered the world scientific literature, a third, more effective bacteriophage has been discovered. The “triple phage cocktail”, which will be created from three discovered bacteriophages, will have the ability to infect more than one strain of bacteria.
The increasing resistance of bacteria to antibiotics makes it difficult to treat many bacterial infections and is considered a global public health threat by the World Health Organization (WHO). Bacteriophages are the most effective alternative to antibiotics in the treatment of bacterial infections. The new bacteriophage, isolated as a result of studies conducted by Near East University in international collaboration, has been recorded to have also neutralized Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains that are resistant to previously discovered phages.
A stronger fight with the triple phage cocktail!
Dr. Ferdiye Taner, a researcher at the Near East University DESAM Research Institute, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Steve Petrovski will create a triple synergistic effect, overcoming the resistance mechanisms of bacteria and providing more effective treatment of infections. The cocktail, which can infect more than one strain of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacterium, will offer an effective alternative in the treatment of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections.
Reminding that the NEU2023 and NEU2024 phages they detected in their scientific studies eliminated a large portion of the tested antibiotic-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains, Dr. Ferdiye Taner stated that the new phage they discovered can neutralize resistant strains that these two phages were not effective against. Dr. Ferdiye Taner said, “Our laboratory research shows that the phage cocktail we will create by combining these three phages can be a revolutionary solution in the treatment of hospital infections.” Expressing that Phage Therapy will take its place among the treatment methods of the future, Dr. Taner said, “We aim to develop phage therapy as an effective alternative to antibiotic treatment by collaborating with a laboratory or pharmaceutical company specialized in phage cocktail preparation.”
Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ: “A great gain for humanity against antibiotic resistance!”
Stating that important results have been achieved in the fight against antibiotic-resistant bacteria, thanks to the joint studies conducted by Near East University and La Trobe University, Near East University Rector Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ said, “We do not approach our bacteriophage studies only theoretically. We act with the aim of transforming this potential into clinical applications.” Prof. Dr. Şanlıdağ said, “These studies conducted on our campus offer promising potential against antibiotic resistance, which threatens human health worldwide. This success is an indicator of our university’s scientific research capacity.” Prof. Dr. Tamer Şanlıdağ emphasized that they will continue their bacteriophage studies by expanding them against other antibiotic-resistant bacteria.