phages

Phages, or bacteriophages, are viruses that specifically infect bacteria. They consist of genetic material—DNA or RNA—wrapped in a protein shell. Once they attach to a bacteria, they inject their genetic material, hijacking the bacteria's machinery to produce more copies of themselves. This process eventually causes the bacteria to burst, releasing new phages to infect other bacteria. Phages are natural predators of bacteria and play key roles in controlling bacterial populations in environments like soil, water, and our bodies. Researchers are exploring their use in medicine to target antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections.