Dr. Philippos Tsourkas, assistant professor in the UNLV School of Life Sciences, will speak at an upcoming Science Café Las Vegas. His talk is titled, Bacteriophages: My Parasite’s Parasite is my Ally.

Viruses that infect bacteria, known as bacteriophages or simply phages, are the most numerous and diverse entities on Earth. Bacteriophages are found wherever bacteria are present, typically in a 10 to 1 ratio. Bacteriophages are highly specific for their host bacteria, and are harmless to other living organisms, thus making them attractive as potential treatment agents against pathogenic bacteria. However bacteriophages were eclipsed by the rise of antibiotics in the mid-20th century. With the rise of multi-drug resistant pathogenic bacteria, interest in phages as therapeutic agents is increasing rapidly. Several phage therapies have been approved for use in agricultural applications, while clinical trials of phage therapies in humans are ongoing.

Come join others for a lively science discussion, delicious food, and fun. Come at 6:30 p.m. to order your food and mingle. Those under 21 are welcome.