Abstract

Bacteriophages are a type of virus that only infects bacteria. It may reproduce with fidelity or with errors (mutations)-this ability to mutate is responsible for the ability of some viruses to change slightly in each infected person, making treatment more difficult. These viruses are very small, ranging from 20 nanometers to several hundred nanometers, which is barely visible under a light microscope. The T4 bacteriophages have roughly around 300 genes. The genes are transcribed and translated using the bacteria cell's machinery (organelles and proteins). The reason why this type of viruses is so beneficial to medical advancement is because this virus only infects bacteria, and it follows a lytic life cycle. The lytic life cycle is when a virus uses the cell machinery to make copies of its genome and structure, resulting in the cell wall being lysis when the new viruses burst out. The entire lytic life cycle is very short ranging from 20-30 minutes at 37C. In that amount of time, hundred of new phages can be produce leading to the total eradication of a population of bacteria in hours. That could lead to cures for a bacteria infection in a matter of hours. The use of phages a cure has already been use in past dates. Although they have been used to treat people, many people are worried because they still are viruses which are know for causing incurable disease.