10 million deaths predicted but science is fighting back! The secret gut viruses that attack cancer, fight infection and slow aging | Prof Martha Clokie & Prof Tim Spector

About this episode

Prof Martha Clokie and Prof Tim Spector discuss the role of gut viruses in combating antibiotic resistance and improving health.

10 million deaths a year. That is how many people are predicted to die from antibiotic-resistant infections if we do not find new treatments. In today’s episode, Professor Martha Clokie and Professor Tim Spector explore the secret gut viruses, known as phages, being studied to fight deadly infection, target cancer cells, and to protect your gut microbiome. Martha is a world-leading expert on the mysterious phage and, for the last 20 years, has pioneered research to revolutionise the treatment of infections without antibiotics. She explains why antibiotic resistance is a growing global threat, why everyday infections are becoming harder to treat, and how some bacteria are now resistant to every antibiotic available. We explore how the viruses in our gut may help solve this problem, and how scientists may one day use them to deliver highly targeted cancer treatment. By the end of the episode, you’ll have some ideas to help support a healthier gut ecosystem and understand how to increase the number of friendly gut viruses that live inside you. The science is still early, but the message is clear: the small choices we make every day are shaping our long-term resilience to disease. If…

People in this episode

Guests: Prof Martha Clokie, Prof Tim Spector

Topics covered

• antibiotic resistance
• gut viruses
• phages
• cancer treatment
• microbiome
• infection control

Keywords

• antibiotic resistance
• gut health
• phages
• cancer
• infection
• microbiome
• viruses
• health
• treatment

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: ZOE

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