The Evergreen State College is one of the leading institutions in phage research. A subject of comprehensive research is a minute parasite that may play a significant role in the future eradication of disease and infection. This tiny parasite commonly referred to as bacteriophage virus or phage is considered as a bacteria killer. Although only a few have enough knowledge of the bacteriophage virus or phage, it is the subject of the Evergreen International Phage Biology Meeting. Scientists from all over the country will discuss extensively not only the nature of the phage but its potential uses as well. This gathering of experts is bringing prestige to the Evergreen State College. The meeting is likewise giving career opportunities for students who will join in the phage research because they will be given the chance to rub elbows with the experts in the field. The article noted that in the country, only a few are doing academic work on the phage therapy. Elizabeth Kutter is one of the country’s leading phage researcher and at the same time a faculty member at Evergreen.

To better understand the potential of phages, it is useful to consider them as bacteria killers. When a bacteriophage virus comes into contact with a bacterium, it comes into contact with a bacterium, it fastens and attaches itself to it and impregnates the cell with its DNA material. Copies of the phage is produced by the bacterium to such degree that it soon bursts from the volume and dies. The new phages then go on to harm other bacteria. And the process reproduces itself until all bacteria are destroyed. The behavior of the virus is well documented in Eastern Europe where scientists conducted detailed studies on the virus. Scientific investigations on phage are particularly significant considering the fact that a number of patients are resistant to antibiotic drugs.

The article mentioned that clinical trials involving hundreds of patients have long proven the effectiveness of phages in fighting staphylococcus infections in humans. Researchers have discovered that phage cured the infections by as high as ninety eight percent. Aside from bacteriophage virus there are several proven methods of curing infections.

A two year grant from the National Institutes of Health will allow researchers at Evergreen to study the use of phages against the E. coli bacteria which is prevalent in beef. Both researchers and students will attempt to determine whether adding phages to cattle feed can destroys the E. coli virus before the cow is slaughtered. The virus may be passed on to humans through meat or produce that has been fertilized with manure.
Students at Evergreen are said to be lucky since they are allowed to work as research assistants to the college’s scientists in high level research projects as compared to other undergraduate students from other colleges and universities. Some students will likewise present research projects during the conference.
Some students expressed appreciation that many hours are allotted for laboratory work, since this gives them ample time to study extensively the bacteriophage virus as well as other bacteria and viruses.

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