Small, single-celled organisms found on almost all Earth surfaces. Bacteria may be beneficial (e.g. bacteria in the gut to help digest food) or pathogenic (e.g. bacteria causing an infection in the lungs). The bacterium is the singular term for bacteria (plural).

Also known as phage. Phage is a virus that infects and replicates within bacteria. Often, phage lyse cells, killing the bacterial host.

The use of methods and software tools for collecting, storing, analysing and dissementating biological data. Particularly, information about genomics and the genetic information to increase our understanding of diseases in medical science.

The smallest unit that can live on its own. Cells make up all living organisms and the tissues of the body.

A protective layer that seperates the interior of the cell to its outside environment.

The structural layer surrounding a cell, providing support and protection.

To reproduce and keep particular living things alive (e.g. culturing bacteria)

Deoxyribonucleic acid. A nucleic acid containing genetic information.

Molecules found in the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria which may induce an immune response in humans and animals (e.g. inflammation or fever)

All genetic information of an organism (e.g. human, bacteria, phage). It is made up of DNA or RNA.

A classification of bacteria that contain a thin peptidoglycan layer and possess an outer membrane

A reaction to protect a host (human or animal) against foreign invaders (e.g. bacteria, parasites, viruses, fungi)

The invasion and growth of pathogens (e.g. bacteria or viruses) within the body. An infection is a disease caused by microorganisms.

A specific immune response of the body characterised by swelling, heat, redness and pain.

This word may be used in various ways.

1. Physically isolating a single bacterium from a patient, animal, or environmental source from culturing in the lab

2. The act of separating one single bacteria from multiple bacterial colonies

3. A single bacterial sample from a patient, animal or environmental source

The destruction or disintegration of a cell by rupture of the cell wall or membrane

The lifecycle of a temperate phage that is characterised by the integration of the phage nuclueic acid into the bacterial genome.

The lifecycle of a typic phage that is characterised by the lysis or destruction of the bacterial cells.

Large biomolecules that store and express genetic information within organisms

A layer of Gram-negative bacteria that makes up the cell wall

A layer of sugars and amino acids that forms a mesh-like structure, forming the cell wall of bacteria.

A large collection or repository that stores phage samples for research purposes. This may be a physical collection in a fridge or freezer, and/or an online list of phages.

The therapuetic application of phages for the treatment, management or prevention of pathogenic bacterial infections.

A clear circular zone of clearing in a confluent growth of bacteria. The clear zone indicates bacterial lysis caused by a phage.

A method which involves mixing a sample of phage/virus with cultured cells with the purpose of counting the infectious particles.

Large molecules found throughout the body required for the structure, function and regulation of tissues and organs within the body (human and animal)

The combination of quality assurance and quality control. These are processes to measure and assure the quality of a product, and focus on defect identification of a product.

Ribonucleic acid. A nucleic acid containing genetic information.

The clear liquid of the blood that remains after the red blood cells are removed. Also known as as blood plasma.

There has been renewed interest in the therapeutic use of bacteriophages (phages); however, standardised therapeutic protocols are lacking, and there is a paucity of rigorous clinical trial data assessing efficacy. At Phage Australia, we proposed an open-label, single-arm trial investigating a standardised treatment and monitoring protocol for phage therapy (STAMP). Phage therapy is offered to patients who exhausted other therapeutic options for control of their infection under Australia's Therapeutic Good Administration Special Access Scheme. STAMP protocol specify clinical assessments and biological sampling at scheduled time points (similar to a clinical trial framework). The primary outcome is safety at day 29, assessed by the frequency of adverse events, and overseen by an independent Data Safety Monitoring Board. Secondary outcomes include long-term safety (frequency of adverse events until at least 6 months following phage therapy). Trial registration number: Registered on ANZCTR, 10 November 2021 (ACTRN12621001526864; WHO Universal Trial Number: U1111-1269-6000).

A subtype or a culture within a biological species. A genetic variation from another subtype.

A submicroscopic infectious agent that only replicates within living cells.