Phage
Phage
Phage (pronounced: /feɪdʒ/), also known as bacteriophage, is a type of virus that infects and replicates within bacteria and archaea. The term "phage" comes from the Greek word phagein, meaning "to devour".
Etymology
The term "phage" is derived from the Greek phagein, which means "to devour". It was coined in the early 20th century by French-Canadian microbiologist Félix d'Herelle, who discovered the bacteriophage.
Definition
A phage is a virus that infects and replicates within bacteria and archaea. The bacteria or archaea that a phage infects is known as its host. Phages are among the most common and diverse entities in the biosphere.
Types of Phages
There are many types of phages, but the most well-known are the T4 phage and the Lambda phage. Each type of phage has a specific range of bacteria that it can infect, known as its host range.
Phage Therapy
Phage therapy is the therapeutic use of phages to treat pathogenic bacterial infections. It has been used in many parts of the world to treat a variety of bacterial infections, and is currently being researched as a potential alternative to antibiotics.
Related Terms
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Phage
- Wikipedia's article - Phage
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