About PHATE
PHATE is an interdisciplinary initiative dedicated to revitalizing bacteriophage research and therapeutic development at ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡ (KI). Recognizing the urgent global need for alternatives to traditional antibiotics, PHATE brings together researchers, clinicians, and collaborators to build a cohesive and forward-looking phage research ecosystem.
PHATE – The Phage Therapy Network at ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡
PHATE is an interdisciplinary consortium dedicated to uniting and advancing bacteriophage research at ̽»¨¾«Ñ¡. By building a centralized, FAIR-compliant phage repository targeting ESKAPE pathogens, PHATE facilitates collaboration, prevents redundant efforts, and accelerates the development of phage-based therapies. Our goal is to develop pipelines for rapid bench-to-bedside turnaround, connect key stakeholders across academia and clinical practice, and lead outreach efforts within KI and across Sweden to raise awareness of phage research and foster new collaborative opportunities. Rooted in Sweden’s legacy of phage innovation, PHATE aims to reinvigorate national efforts and establish KI as a leading hub for therapeutic phage research in the global fight against antimicrobial resistance.
Why Phages, Why Now?
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses one of the most pressing threats to global health. Phage therapy—using viruses that selectively infect and kill bacteria—has re-emerged as a promising solution, particularly against multidrug-resistant ESKAPE pathogens. Yet in Sweden, progress in phage research has lagged behind other Nordic countries despite a strong scientific legacy, including foundational discoveries such as CRISPR-Cas systems.
PHATE aims to change this by fostering a coordinated, innovative response to the AMR crisis rooted in Sweden's scientific excellence.
Our Mission
- To unite bacteriophage researchers across KI and Sweden through a collaborative network
- To develop a centralized, well-characterized, and FAIR-compliant phage repository focused on therapeutic applications
- To accelerate bench-to-bedside pipelines for phage therapy development
- To connect academia, clinical researchers, and healthcare stakeholders for translational impact
- To raise awareness of phage research and collaboration opportunities through outreach and education
Key Activities
- Phage Repository Development: Curating and characterizing phages with therapeutic potential, particularly against ESKAPE pathogens
- Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Bridging labs, clinics, and institutions across KI for a unified research strategy centered around enabling phage therapy
- Rapid Response Pipelines: Building workflows for fast turnaround from lab discovery to clinical application
- Knowledge Exchange: Hosting seminars, annual meetings, and collaborative workshops
- Outreach & Engagement: Promoting awareness of phage therapy through events, publications, and stakeholder communication within KI and nationally
- Research Support: Facilitating phage sharing, data sharing, and methodological alignment among partners