Phage Therapy Group

The Phage Therapy Group focuses on developing bacteriophage-based therapies to combat antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections. We specialize in personalized phage therapy, investigating phage pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics, and understanding host-pathogen interactions. Our translational research includes clinical trials, compassionate use cases, and economic modeling to reduce antimicrobial resistance. We also explore the role of bacteriophages in sepsis management and novel immune responses facilitated by phages.

Key research topics include

  • Personalized Bacteriophage Therapy: Developing tailored phage treatments for antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections.
  • Phage Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics: Investigating how bacteriophages interact with the human body to optimize clinical outcomes.
  • Sepsis Management: Studying the role of phages in managing sepsis and critical care infections.
  • Host-Pathogen Interactions: Exploring how bacteriophages affect host immune responses and pathogen behavior.
  • Economic Modeling of Antimicrobial Resistance: Quantifying the clinical and economic impact of reducing resistance in healthcare settings.
  • Phage Immune Neutralization: Understanding and mitigating immune system responses that neutralize phage therapy.

Recent Achievements

  • Publication of Personalized Phage Therapy Case Outcomes
    Conducted a multicentre study detailing outcomes for 100 patients treated with personalized phage therapy, influencing global standards for treatment approaches.
  • Breakthrough in Understanding Phage Internalization
    Uncovered how mammalian cells internalize bacteriophages, enhancing cellular growth and survival, published in PLoS Biology.
  • Economic Modeling of Antimicrobial Resistance Mitigation
    Developed a comprehensive economic model quantifying the value of reducing Gram-negative pathogen resistance in Australian hospitals.

Recent publications

Personalized Bacteriophage Therapy for Difficult-to-Treat Infections Nature Microbiology, June 2024

Comparison of Sepsis Outcomes Using Sepsis-3 Criteria Health Science Reports, June 2024

Economic Value of Reducing Antimicrobial Resistance Infectious Diseases and Therapy, June 2023

Phage Therapy in Korea: Clinician Attitudes Survey Infection & Chemotherapy, December 2023

Phage Pharmacokinetics/Pharmacodynamics in Clinical Translation Clinical Microbiology and Infection, February 2023

Name Position
Kiran Bosco Student
Laela Bouaou Research Assistant
Jenny Draper Bioinformatician
Clare Fisher Research Assistant
Dr. Ameneh Khatami Senior Lecturer in Child and Adolescent Health; Paediatric Infectious Diseases Specialist
Carina Lauter Biobank Coordinator, Advanced Therapeutics Biobank
Alicia Fajardo Lubian Postdoctoral Researcher, Molecular Biologist
Dr. Stephanie Lynch Postdoctoral Researcher
Emily Mascord Executive Assistant to Professor Jon Iredell
Dr. Aleksandra Petrovic Fabijan OHMR Postdoctoral Fellow in Phage Therapy; Lead Scientist in Mycobacterium Phage Therapy at Westmead
Rabeya Rahmatullah Manufacturing Production Manager
Eleni Siafakas PhD Student
Holly Sinclair Infectious Diseases Physician, Westmead Hospital
Karen Swensen Clinical Operations Coordinator
Dr. Nouri Ben Zakour Principal Research Scientist
Dr Jackie Chan Genomics Coordinator

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