The rapid escalation of bacterial antibiotic resistance has transformed previously treatable infections into a significant and potentially lethal menace. Recognizing this, the WHO has categorized antibiotic resistance as one of the ten major global public health threats. Recent data underscores this concern, revealing that over 1.2 million lives were lost to bacterial infections in 2019. Unchecked, projections suggest that by 2050, annual fatalities due to antibiotic-resistant diseases could reach 10 million.
Scientific efforts are underway to manage infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria and decrease mortality rates through the development of alternative treatments. Phage Therapy, a leading alternative, involves using viruses that specifically target bacteria, offering a natural remedy for bacterial infections.
The collaboration between Near East University and La Trobe University stands out as a beacon of hope. Their joint project, titled “Investigating the Molecular Mechanism of Antibiotic Resistance Spread and Exploring New Bacteriophages as an Alternative Treatment Approach in Pseudomonas aeruginosa Strains,” aims to analyze the antibiotic resistance mechanism developed by “Pseudomonas aeruginosa” strains found in soil and water. The project seeks to establish a natural defense mechanism against this bacterium using the bacteriophage method.
Leading the project is Dr. Ferdiye Taner, a researcher from Near East University’s DESAM Research Center. The project earned the First Prize for Poster Presentation at the ’38th ANKEM Rational Antibiotic Use Congress’ organized by the Antibiotics and Chemotherapy Association in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. The project team includes Dr. Gökçe Akan, Dr. Gülten Tuncel, Prof. Dr. Murat Sayan, Doruk Kaynarca, and Dr. Ferdiye Taner from Near East University, along with Vaheesan Rajabal and Steve Petrovovski from La Trobe University.
