In order to replicate themselves, phage viruses( green ) inject their genes into bacteria. Credit: SPL / Biophoto Associates
The Good Virus: The Untold Story of Phages: Ireland Hodder Press( 2023 ) The Most Abundant Life Forms on Earth and What They Can Do For Us
Viruses are everywhere; they thrive in water, soil, and our guts. It is safe to say that viruses are unlikely to win any popularity contests in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Tom Ireland, a science writer, makes an effort to enhance their reputation in The Good Virus.
By concentrating on one class of viruses, known as bacteriophages( phages ), which infect microorganisms like bacteria and archaea, this fascinating book highlights the positive aspects of the viral world. Phaes are frequently ignored by society; the viruses that catch our attention are typically part of a group of disease-causing terrors like SARS, CoV-2, HIV, and Ebola. But if scientists are successful in creating phages that can treat infections by deadly, drug-resistant bacteria, the stigma can be removed, claims Ireland.
Researchers are already searching through phages gathered all over the world for the top medical candidates with the help of citizen scientists. There is no shortage of materials; one liter of water can hold billions of the viruses, and they encourage the yearly release of three gigatonnes( or more ) of carbon from infected bacteria