Poster Session 4: Microbiology, Immunology, Molecular Genetics

Thursday, July 23 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Location: Legacy

Ma'Asiah Raickett
DePaul University
Presentation 1
Bacteriophage Therapy as a Potential Treatment for Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus
With antibiotic resistance on the rise, bacteriophages have gained worldwide attention as a potential alternative and complement to traditional antibiotic treatments. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a major public health concern due to its resistance to multiple antibiotics. This challenge creates a need for new approaches to treatment. Bacteriophages are among the most abundant microbes on Earth that infect and destroy bacterial cells, making them effective at controlling bacterial growth. This research synthesis examines how phages interact with MRSA and how these interactions can be used as a treatment strategy. Phages are highly specific and attach to certain receptors on bacterial surfaces, allowing them to infect and destroy targeted bacterial cells. This specificity distinguishes phage therapy from broad-spectrum antibiotics and may help reduce damage to beneficial bacteria. This review evaluates the potential of bacteriophages as a targeted strategy for addressing antibiotic-resistant MRSA infections. Findings will highlight the advantages and limitations of phage treatments while addressing the need for continued research in this emerging area of microbiology.