PhageCompass

PhageCompass is a global consortium committed to advancing bacteriophage research and application. Originally established to develop advanced genomic prediction tools for phages, our work has naturally expanded while staying true to our initial mission. Our founding members, including the University of Copenhagen 🇩🇰, Leicester University 🇬🇧, AIMST University 🇲🇾, Universidad de los Andes 🇨🇴, and Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences 🇨🇳, form a diverse and collaborative network dedicated to unlocking the potential of phages. Our efforts are focused on several key areas: - Innovative Phage Therapy: We are at the forefront of developing and applying phage-based treatments for critical conditions, including Necrotising Fasciitis, urinary tract infections, and sepsis, aiming to provide effective alternatives where traditional therapies are failing, addressing a global need. - Aquaculture Health: We are addressing significant challenges in aquaculture by developing phage therapies to protect species like salmon from bacterial pathogens such as Pasteurella. This work contributes to sustainable practices and enhances food security, crucial for a growing global population. - Expanding Phage Discovery: The consortium is committed to expanding the medical and scientific repertoire of bacteriophages. We are actively exploring diverse ecosystems, including tropical rainforests, to discover novel phages with the potential to revolutionise medical treatment. - Beyond Sequence Similarity: In our quest to the deeper understanding of phage genomes, we are developing new tools to analyse phage genomes beyond traditional sequence similarities. These tools enable us to tap into the full potential of phage biology without relying solely on sequence similarities, addressing the vast genetic diversity that characterises phages and makes them so interesting. - Educating the Next Generation: A cornerstone of PhageCompass is to train the next generation of phage research.