Scientists Identify Viruses as New Weapons to Fight IBD

[Rini]

Taking notes from blockbusters such as Outbreak and World War Z, viruses are typically seen as harmful agents to be wary of. But scientists have found they may be the key to helping the millions of people living with inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD. New research from the ​​Weizmann Institute of Science has shown that bacteriophages — viruses that infect bacteria cells — can be used to target gut bacteria that worsen symptoms of ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease.

[Naresh]

@rini The work shows it's possible to manage IBD with something besides antibiotics, which are less specific, can cause side effects, and likely trigger bacterial resistance.