PhagePro was born out of a deep knowledge of science and an even deeper passion for helping others. Co-founded by Dr. Minmin Yen in 2016, PhagePro has grown as a pioneer in eradicating deadly global diseases. As a first-generation Taiwanese-American, Dr. Yen takes great pride in honoring her heritage and improving the lives of others alongside her passionate colleagues.
Dr. Yen remains inspired and empowered by fellow women and people of color who break barriers simply by existing. Her efforts are also fueled by passionate supporters who understand and trust in the great potential of this living science.
Dr. Minmin Yen and the Birth of PhagePro
Dr. Yen and her co-founder, Professor Andrew Camilli during a group dinner with their collaborator our collaborator in Dhaka, Dr. Munirul Alam, and associates.Dr. Yen grew up in a loving, determined, and courageous family. Her mother and father left Taiwan for the United States in the 1970s. Together, they were committed to paving the way for their growing family through education.
While her mother was a history major, her father was fueled by a natural inclination toward STEM concepts and their application in daily life. Their father encouraged the Yen girls to follow their own wonders to discover the inner workings of the world around them.
Featured: In the yellow hijab is PhagePro collaborator, Dr. Marzia Sultana from the International Centre for Diarrheal Diseases in Bangladesh. We also see Dr. Fatema Tuz-Johura, a Research Associate at Johns Hopkins, and Dr. Yen.Combining her passion for helping people with the possibilities of science, Dr. Yen has embarked on her journey in the medical field, bringing PhagePro to life.
Since its founding in 2016, PhagePro has been committed to ending the cholera epidemic. Most of the active cases of cholera occur in countries with limited resources. Able to kill a person within 12 hours of initial symptoms, cholera is a high priority for global health organizations. The team has since partnered with organizations in Dhaka, Bangladesh as they prepare for the first trials of this cutting-edge treatment.
Backed by a team of fellow experts in medicine and healthcare, PhagePro is unearthing the modern-day potential of a century-old wellness practice using phages.
So, What Exactly are Phages?
The science behind phages can help medical professionals move towards eradicating bacterial diseases such as cholera. Phages are viruses that target and eliminate specific pathogens, reducing the risk of long-term side effects and disease mutations.
Phages are naturally occurring and abundant on land, in the water, and even in our bodies. There are a variety of phages, working with both good and bad bacteria throughout nature. When phages target bad bacteria, they seek to eliminate the infection completely, making them a strong contender for the next antibiotic revolution.
Unfortunately, some experts speculate that phages are too archaic to be reliable. However, their modern-day successor, antibiotics, are rapidly outdating themselves. Once the powerful nature of phages can be harnessed, there is great potential for these little fighters to support PhagePro's quest for global wellness.
Revolutionizing Antibiotics
Modern-day antibiotics are great at killing all bacteria, good and bad. However, many patients become susceptible to even more bad bacteria overpowering their system if they cannot recover in time. Incomplete antibiotic treatments also create a breeding ground for bad bacteria to mutate and resist the treatment altogether. With many bacterial diseases rapidly mutating, it is clear that a new and lasting solution is desperately needed for treating infectious diseases.
Phages can target the bad bacteria specifically and they are specific to the bacteria they attack. For example, imagine someone who needs a cholera treatment, their phage dosage will only target the pathogens that are causing harm. By targeting the problem directly, phages minimize the risk of adverse reactions. They can also be used to treat other bacterial infections, such as STDs, UTIs, meningitis, staph infections, and pneumonia.
Once the infection is gone, the phages are simply flushed out of our systems. Having an abundant, natural supply of phages also implies that there will be no worry about shortages. It will likely also appeal to more people because it is naturally occurring and straightforward in its action. Treatment is rapid and symptoms begin to alleviate within moments of application, decreasing the further spread of the disease.
With the rise of antibiotic resistance in humans, animals, and plants, there has to be a different way to address bacterial pathogens more effectively. While phages were discovered about 100 years ago, coupling this practice with current scientific advancements will bring nothing short of monumental change. If we can reduce the spread of disease… imagine how much more we can invest into creating a brighter future for us all.
