Building a phage library in Lebanon to fight microbial resistance

As a result of the continuous rise in the antimicrobial resistance (AMR) threat, and the emergence of resistance against some last resort antibiotics, alternative options have been recruited in the worldwide fight against AMR. Bacteriophages were among the primary candidates due to their effectiveness in killing bacterial cells. Although bacteriophages continue to lack drug approval in Western medicine, an increasing number of patients are being treated on an expanded-access emergency investigational new drug basis. Bacteriophage therapy relies on the use of lytic phages as it aims to treat infections as quickly and effectively as possible. This novel therapeutic approach may be used complementary or as an alternative to antimicrobials, thus reducing the threat of the constantly emerging antimicrobial resistance. Aims: The long-term goal of our research is to find a new strategy and approach for treating drug-resistant bacteria. Our objective is to create a bacteriophage library and to streamline the production of high-quality and clinically safe phage preparations with high-quality standards. We aim to isolate novel bacteriophage strains from the environment and assess their biological features. Furthermore, we aim to optimize phage characteristics and improve their specificity, infectivity, and stability via rapid evolution. Finally, we aim to produce phage products that meet the safety and efficacy demands for human and animal clinical use under the regulations covering Good Manufacturing Practices. Ultimately, this project intends to create a ready-to-use tool, a phage product, that meets high standards for expanded access, and such might be pivotal in saving someone's life and would have a very high impact in the region.

随着抗菌药物耐药性（antimicrobial resistance, AMR）威胁持续攀升，加之部分终极备用抗生素出现耐药性问题，全球范围内对抗AMR的备选方案已被广泛启用。噬菌体（bacteriophages）因能高效杀灭细菌细胞，成为核心候选方案之一。尽管噬菌体在西方医学领域尚未获得药物批准，但已有越来越多的患者通过扩大使用的紧急研究性新药（expanded-access emergency investigational new drug）途径接受噬菌体治疗。噬菌体治疗依赖裂解性噬菌体（lytic phages），旨在快速且高效地治疗感染。这种新型治疗策略可作为抗菌药物的补充或替代方案，从而缓解不断涌现的抗菌药物耐药性威胁。

研究目标：本研究的长期目标是探寻治疗耐药菌的全新策略与方法。具体研究目标为构建噬菌体文库，并按照高标准流程优化高质量、临床安全的噬菌体制剂的生产工艺。我们计划从环境中分离新型噬菌体菌株，并评估其生物学特性。此外，我们将通过快速进化技术优化噬菌体的各项特性，提升其特异性、感染性与稳定性。最终，我们将依据药品生产质量管理规范（Good Manufacturing Practices, GMP）的相关法规，研发符合人类与动物临床使用安全及效力要求的噬菌体产品。本项目旨在最终打造一款符合扩大使用高标准要求的即用型噬菌体工具产品，此类产品或可在挽救生命方面发挥关键作用，并对所在地区产生深远影响。