TURK 2025

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) currently poses a critical threat to global health and reduces the effectiveness of conventional antibiotics. This situation has intensified the scientific community's focus on exploring alternative therapeutic approaches. Among these, interest in bacteriophages (phages) has significantly increased. The purpose of this presentation is to highlight the current role of bacteriophages, their advantages, and their position in combating antimicrobial resistance from both scientific and practical perspectives, and to raise awareness on the subject.
Phages stand out as safe and effective biocontrol agents due to their specificity in targeting only the intended bacteria and their natural origin. Recent advances in biotechnology have made it possible to genetically optimize phages, thereby enhancing their therapeutic effectiveness. Technologies such as CRISPR and metagenomic analysis have enabled phages to be tailored for specific targets and have been identified as promising methods for combating resistant strains. Various studies have shown that phage-antibiotic combinations offer more effective and resilient treatment protocols against bacterial infections. These combinations not only shorten treatment duration but also prevent the emergence of resistant bacterial populations. Phages are considered a promising option particularly against multidrug-resistant bacteria listed among the World Health Organization's priority pathogens.
Phages have a wide range of applications from veterinary medicine to food safety and are aligned with the One Health approach, which aims to protect human, animal, and environmental health collectively. However, to translate this potential into clinical applications, global support mechanisms should be established, and effective collaboration between research laboratories and clinical practices must be ensured. Additionally, the establishment and diversification of phage banks are of great importance in expanding therapeutic options