Two researchers from the University of Santo Tomas (UST) are leading an innovative project to explore bacteriophages as an alternative therapy to combat multidrug-resistant infections. Dr. Donna May D.C. Papa, from the Department of Biological Sciences in the College of Science, and Dr. Maria Rhona Gatpandan-Bergantin from the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, have joined forces to tackle infections caused by Acinetobacter baumannii, a bacteria known for its resistance to multiple drugs.
The three-year project, which officially began in July 2024, is being funded by the Virology and Vaccine Institute of the Philippines and supported by the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD). Dr. Papa, who is leading the project, outlined the goal of the study: “We aim to isolate bacteriophages that infect various clinical strains of A. baumannii collected from hospitals, and to develop a working prototype of a phage formulation for therapeutic use.”
Bacteriophages, viruses that specifically target bacteria, are seen as a promising solution to address the growing problem of antibiotic resistance. The project focuses on the potential of using bacteriophages for intravenous treatments, which could offer an alternative to traditional antibiotics.
To date, the research team has made significant progress. They have collaborated with sentinel sites and tertiary hospitals, collecting water samples for further analysis. Enrichment setups and testing of filtrates are ongoing. The project has also secured necessary equipment, which will soon be relocated to the UST-Dr. Tony Tan Caktiong Innovation Center in Santa Rosa, Laguna, for further research and development.
This pioneering research is part of UST’s broader efforts to contribute to global health challenges, with a particular focus on sustainable and innovative solutions to antimicrobial resistance.
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