The Living Medicine by Lina Zeldovich is a captivating exploration of the world of bacteriophages, what they are, how they have been used, and possible uses for human health in the future. The author, a science journalist with the capacity for explaining scientific ideas so they can be understood by a general audience, takes readers on a journey through the fascinating realm of bacteriophages, shedding light on how they may very well rescue us.

Bacteriophages, often referred to simply as phages, are viruses that specifically infect bacteria. Discovered in the early 20th century, bacteriophages have been recognized as important players in various ecosystems, particularly in the context of human health and disease. Phages typically consist of a protein coat surrounding their genetic material, which can be either DNA or RNA. They come in various shapes and sizes, ranging from simple structures to more complex ones. Phages are abundant in natural environments, including soil, water, and the human body. They play a crucial role in regulating bacterial populations and shaping microbial communities. They are key players in horizontal gene transfer among bacteria, influencing bacterial evolution and diversity.

They have been used to target and kill specific pathogenic bacteria that cause infections, including cholera and dysentery, beginning in 1919. Phages can be selected or engineered to specifically target particular bacterial strains while leaving beneficial bacteria unharmed. This targeted approach is particularly valuable in the era of antibiotic resistance when traditional antibiotics may be ineffective against certain bacterial infections. They have also proved useful in treating chronic infections by methicillin-resistant Staph aureus (MRSA) which is notoriously resistant to antibiotics and they may serve as possible treatments in the future for chronic conditions.

Much of the bacteriophage research was done at the George Eliava Institute in Soviet Georgia, but it was largely destroyed in 1991 in the Georgian Civil War. Scientists worked to save whatever phage cultures they could and about 50 people still work at the Institute on phage production. There is still much research that needs to be done into specificity, resistance, immunogenicity, safety, and regulatory hurdles, but Zeldovich's book serves to remind us that bacteriophages helped in the past and may have even more uses in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with a copy of this book. It will be published on October 22, 2024.

I've long been interested in bacteriophages and their beneficial properties, and this book is such a fascinating look into not only their history but how they can really help us. This is especially true when it comes to antibiotic resistance, which is a growing problem that threatens our world as we know it. There is a lot to learn about the history of bacteriophages and exactly how they came to be, and their discovery of use, and this book does a great job of telling their story while also stressing the importance of them for our future. This scientific discovery, while not well known yet to the general public, is something we really need to focus to help combat the problem of antibiotic resistance. I think those interested in science and history and what the implications are for our future will enjoy this book and it is a must read!

Thank you to NetGalley, Lina Zeldovich, and St. Martin's Press for the eARC of this book.

The Living Medicine was a very interesting book detailing the research on using bacteriophages to treat bacterial infections instead of antibiotics. I was somewhat knowledgeable of the use of bacteriophages for this use and also for gene therapy, but I did not know the back story of the research that was done in the past in the former soviet union. This is what I love to learn- about the people and processes behind the discoveries. It gives me a greater appreciation for the applications of scientific discoveries.

As a high school biology and anatomy teacher I discuss antibiotic resistance, specifically MRSA and other highly resistance strains, with both of my classes and this book as given me real life examples to share with my students. I would recommend for my school library to obtain a copy and recommend this book to my students.

Really really insightful, in the era of antibiotic therapy, we never heard or hope about miraculous things to happen. Hope this book will be a blessing for many others.