This new NDPIA course on fundamentals of basic and applied phage biology was held at Lund University during 23-28 of April 2023.
Bacteriophages are bacterial viruses and the most diverse and abundant of all organisms on Earth. Through their coexistence with bacteria, phages modify bacterial communities by altering bacterial numbers, physiology, diversity, and virulence. This NDPIA course introduced students to the intriguing but complex interactions between phages and bacteria.
We had eleven national and international experts in phage research presenting a comprehensive theoretical overview of fundamental and applied phage biology, covering topics such as phage diversity and classification, phage diversity in environments from the human gut to the ocean, ecological roles of phages, phage-bacteria interactions and anti-phage immunity systems, and development of phage-based treatments of bacterial infections.
“I really appreciated the networking opportunities during this course. It was very nice that lecturers joined the dinners, and the overall social atmosphere led to open and vivid discussions.”
-Anonymous participant
Group photo of the participants and organizers of the Fundamentals of Basic and Applied Phage Biology 2023. Photo: Frederik Henriksen.
The lectures were complemented with hands-on experimental phage techniques. Techniques performed by the students included phage isolation from environmental samples, determination of the phage titre, performing phage infectivity/immunity assays, and isolation of spontaneous mutant phages through selection.
“The combination of covering vast amounts of knowledge both basic, cutting edge and applied, along with conducting real research during lab exercises all meant that the course was insanely productive while also being fun!”
-Anonymous participant
Students preparing for collection of environmental samples around town to be used in the lab exercises. Photo: Gemma AtkinsonStudents were collecting environmental samples at the Botanical Garden to be used in the lab exercises. Photo: Gemma Atkinson.
Students were performing lab work at Lund University to isolate phages and escape mutants. Photo: Vasili Hauryliuk and Rodrigo Ibarra Chaves.
