This webinar is the third and final in the series exploring the broader use of bacteriophages from an antimicrobial resistance (AMR) One Health perspective. The webinar will focus on the opportunities and challenges facing the environmental use of bacteriophages.
The objectives are to:
- explore the current state of knowledge and evidence gaps regarding the use of bacteriophages in the environment;
- discuss the challenges and opportunities associated with the broader implementation of phages in the environment; and
- identify strategies for building the evidence base to support the broader use of bacteriophages as a tool in the fight against AMR.
Bacteriophages are viruses that selectively target and kill bacteria. These common natural entities can destroy bacteria that are resistant to drugs such as antibiotics. Phage therapy holds considerable potential as a tool in the fight against AMR, which poses a significant global health threat. AMR leads to increased morbidity, mortality and health-care costs.
Addressing AMR requires a multifaceted approach that considers human, animal and environmental health – known as the One Health approach. Bacteriophages offer a promising alternative or adjunct to traditional antibiotics. However, the potential broader adoption of the use of phages in the environment requires robust evidence to support its efficacy, safety and feasibility across One Health sectors.
The webinar will feature the following speakers:
- Dr Alison Blackwell, Chief Executive Officer, APS Biocontrol Ltd, Scotland, United Kingdom – on phage use in crops;
- Professor Carles Borrego, Catalan Institute of Water Research (ICRA), Catalonia, Spain – on wastewater treatment with phages;
- Guga Kashibadze, Burn Wound Centre, Iashvili Central Children’s Hospital and Gori Military Hospital, Georgia – on cleaning with phages in intensive care settings;
- Professor James Ebdon, Professor of Environmental Microbiology, University of Brighton, United Kingdom – on using phages as faecal pollution indicators; and
- Dr Gregorio Iraola, Kinzbio, Uruguay – on commercial production of jumbo phages.