A team of researchers from the Technical University of Kenya (TU-K) is spearheading a groundbreaking initiative to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR) through phage therapy—a revolutionary alternative to antibiotics. This research, focused on phage isolation, genome analysis, and comparative genomics.
While phage therapy has been successfully explored in the Global North, Kenyan researchers are now advancing its potential as a homegrown solution to drug-resistant bacterial infections. Speaking at the conclusion of a 10-day workshop and research sequencing exercise jointly held at TU-K and the Kenya Institute of Primate Research (KIPRE), Dr. James Munyao emphasized the urgency of finding alternative treatments for bacterial infections that no longer respond to antibiotics.
“Antimicrobial resistance is a global health threat, making bacterial infections harder to treat. Phage therapy presents a promising, natural solution by using viruses that specifically target and destroy drug-resistant bacteria. As researchers from TU-K and collaborating institutions, we are committed to developing phage-based interventions tailored to African health challenges,” said Dr. Munyao.
He further explained that bacteriophages—tiny viruses that exclusively attack bacteria—are abundant in nature, including rivers and sewage. Through scientific research, training, and advocacy, TU-K and its partners are working to demonstrate how phage therapy can be integrated into Kenya’s healthcare system as a powerful tool against antibiotic-resistant infections.
TU-K’s Department of Biological and Life Sciences collaborated with experts from Phage Hunters Training and Research Program (PHTRP), Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), KIPRE, and CLIMB-BIG-DATA, The Phage, Jenomu Bioinformatics, Kenya Education Network (KENET), PhageKenya Consortium to host the workshop that attracted 31 participants with most of them undertaking postgraduate studies at TU-K, University of Nairobi, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology and Kisii University.
The training covered hands-on training in phage isolation from environmental samples, genome sequencing and bioinformatics analysis at KIPRE for four days and further interrogation and comparative genomics policy discussion, advocacy, and research collaborations to promote phage therapy applications in Africa at TU-K.
Some of the resolutions from the workshop included; engaging in collaborative research initiatives and capacity building in phage genomics and bioinformatics across institutions, infrastructure and resource mobilization as well as data sharing and publications.
The workshop’s closing ceremony was presided by the DVC, Research, Technology and Development (RTD), Prof. Alfred Orina who also presented certificate of participation to the participants.
They commended the collaborative efforts in advancing phage research, training, and advocacy and emphasized TU-K’s commitment to fostering scientific innovation in addressing AMR challenges.
