Using Phage Therapy to Prevent Bacterial Disease in Muga Silkworms

Research that could help to save one of the rarest and most valuable silks in the world is being spearheaded with novel research at the University of Leicester.

Researchers from the University are developing a technique known as phage therapeutics to target harmful bacterial infections in Muga silkworms in order to protect them from disease.

Muga silk yarn is golden in colour and is produced only in Assam, India, by Muga caterpillars to form their cocoons. As one of the rarest and most valuable silks in the world, it remains an integral part of the tradition and culture there.

However, crops of Muga silkworms have been in decline over the last few years due to the growing presence of bacterial disease called Flacherie caused by the silkworm larvae eating infected leaves.

In an attempt to save the Assam silk industry, Dr Mahananda Chutia, a Visiting Post-Doctoral Fellow from Assam, has been working with Professor Martha Clokie in the University of Leicester’s Department of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation to identify bacteriophages to treat the disease and to establish how, and when it is best to deploy them to the caterpillars.

Professor Martha Clokie has been investigating an alternative approach to antibiotics, which utilises naturally occurring viruses called bacteriophages, meaning ‘eaters of bacteria’, for nearly a decade at Leicester.

This film was produced by External Relations, University of Leicester.

Filmed & Edited by Carl Vivian
Produced by Ellen Rudge