Thesis Abstract

Abstract
The rise of antibiotic resistance poses a significant threat to global public health, necessitating the exploration of alternative antimicrobial agents. Bacteriophages, viruses that infect and kill bacteria, have emerged as a promising alternative to traditional antibiotics. This thesis aims to investigate the potential of bacteriophages as alternative antimicrobial agents against antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The study begins with Chapter 1, which provides an introduction to the research topic. It includes a background of the study, problem statement, objectives, limitations, scope, significance, structure of the thesis, and definition of key terms. Chapter 2 presents a comprehensive literature review covering ten key aspects related to bacteriophages, antibiotic resistance, and their potential applications in combating resistant bacteria. Chapter 3 outlines the research methodology, including the selection of bacteriophages, experimental design, bacterial strains used, phage-bacteria interaction studies, and data analysis techniques. This chapter also discusses the ethical considerations and limitations of the study. In Chapter 4, the findings of the research are elaborated upon, presenting the efficacy of selected bacteriophages against antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The discussion includes the mechanisms of phage action, the potential for phage resistance development, and the practical implications of using bacteriophages as antimicrobial agents. Finally, Chapter 5 provides a summary of the research findings and conclusions drawn from the study. The implications of the research on the field of microbiology and potential future directions for research are also discussed. Overall, this thesis contributes to the growing body of knowledge on the use of bacteriophages as an alternative approach to combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria, highlighting their potential as a valuable tool in the fight against antimicrobial resistance.

Thesis Overview

The project titled "Exploring the potential of bacteriophages as alternative antimicrobial agents against antibiotic-resistant bacteria" aims to investigate the effectiveness of bacteriophages as a potential alternative to traditional antibiotics in combating antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The rise of antibiotic resistance poses a significant threat to global public health, highlighting the urgent need for novel antimicrobial strategies. Bacteriophages, or viruses that infect bacteria, have gained attention as a promising alternative due to their specificity, ability to target specific bacterial strains, and potential to overcome antibiotic resistance mechanisms. This research project will begin with a comprehensive literature review to establish the current understanding of bacteriophages as antimicrobial agents and the challenges associated with antibiotic resistance. The literature review will also explore previous studies and clinical trials that have investigated the efficacy of bacteriophages in treating antibiotic-resistant infections. The research methodology will involve the isolation and characterization of bacteriophages targeting specific antibiotic-resistant bacteria strains. Various in vitro and in vivo experiments will be conducted to assess the lytic activity of the bacteriophages against the target bacteria, as well as their potential to eradicate biofilms and prevent the development of resistance. The findings from the experimental studies will be discussed in detail in the results and discussion chapter, focusing on the effectiveness of bacteriophages as antimicrobial agents against antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The discussion will also address the potential applications of bacteriophages in clinical settings, including their use in combination therapies or as preventive measures to reduce the emergence of antibiotic resistance. In conclusion, this research project aims to contribute to the growing body of knowledge on bacteriophages as alternative antimicrobial agents and their potential to address the challenge of antibiotic resistance. The findings from this study may have implications for the development of novel treatment strategies and the future of antimicrobial therapy in combating antibiotic-resistant infections.