Elementary Student Outreach Activity Demonstrating the Use of Phage Therapy Heroes to Combat Bacterial Infections

Battles between superheroes and villains easily capture the attention and enthusiasm of young learners, presenting an excellent opportunity to introduce interactions within the microbial world. Recently, the public has gained an increased appreciation for beneficial bacteria, but the term “virus” still has an extremely negative connotation and is almost exclusively associated with disease. To enhance awareness of the potential benefits of viruses, here we describe an outreach activity to teach elementary-school children about phage therapy, where specific phages (viruses that infect bacteria) are used to destroy bacterial pathogens in a targeted therapy that does not negatively affect commensal bacteria. In this activity, participants learn about phage infection and host specificity by viewing photos of plaque assays performed in a laboratory with chromogenic bacteria and then participate in a hands-on “fishing” game using the phage heroes’ superpowers of specificity (hooks, Velcro, magnets) to capture particular bacterial villains. Templates are also provided for making custom temporary tattoos as activity rewards and for printing phage comic strips for a coloring activity. This outreach activity demonstrates the utility of phage therapy for treating bacterial infections that cause skin infections (Staphylococcus aureus), coral disease (Vibrio coralliilyticus), and foodborne illness (Listeria monocytogenes). Learners gain knowledge of how phages can benefit society, which is a critical first step towards shifting the overwhelmingly negative perception of viruses and laying the groundwork for greater public acceptance of phage therapy as an alternative to antibiotics for treatment of bacterial infections.