Bacteriophages were first discovered in 1915 by William Twort, and in 1917 by Felix d'Herelle realized that they had the potential to kill bacteria.

How long have phages been around?

Viruses that infect bacteria (bacteriophages; also known as phages) were discovered 100 years ago. Since then, phage research has transformed fundamental and translational biosciences.

Who found phages?

Two years later, the outspoken French-Canadian microbiologist Felix d'Herelle independently published similar observations [2], but unlike the more cautious Twort, d'Herelle was immediately convinced that he had discovered a new type of virus that infected bacteria, which he dubbed a bacteriophage (phage).