noun
- Viruses that infect and replicate within bacteria; used in research, medicine, and biotechnology.
Usage: Plural of bacteriophage; Often shortened to 'phages' in scientific contexts; Technical/scientific term
Examples
- Scientists use bacteriophages to study how viruses attack bacterial cells.
- Bacteriophages are being researched as an alternative to antibiotics for treating infections.
- The laboratory isolated several bacteriophages from soil samples.
- Bacteriophages have been used in genetic engineering to insert genes into bacteria.
- Researchers discovered that certain bacteriophages can destroy antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
- Bacteriophages naturally occur in environments where bacteria are present, such as water and soil.