I mean... Phages target bacteria and viruses generally arget eukaryotes... But they all replicate virally... So...
I'm still confused/annoyed that viruses aren't considered alive. They evolve, so I'd say yes, but I'm in the minority on that one.
It's truly mind boggling the diversity in the viral types. It makes sense with their relative simplicity, and life cycle, but still. Damn complicated.
I watched a video on using phages to attack bugs as they gain immunity to drugs. Over time, the bugs gain immunity to phages and lose immunity to drugs. I guess as the teeter totter of immunity swings, doctors still have options.
As you said, they're as close to alive as you can get. That and how ancient they are is fascinating.
The Universe is in constant battle with itself. Can a conscious being opt out of this madness into oblivion? If I could I would. The paradox being "I".
The russians are the only ones I'm aware of that really kept up with phage research after WW2, but you're totally right! It's not feasible for an 'organism' to be immune/resistant to everything. The lowest cost organism is going to thrive!
It's a fascinating area of research, but not really a thing over here. :/
I did not know that, but I'm definitely not a biochem student. I'm cursed with a memory that allows me to regurgitate nearly any info I see or hear. I typically fill it with the obscure and arcane. Last year it was briefly phage therapy and immune system overreactions. I'm sure I'll stumble into more about it again in my lifetime.
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