Inspiration Dissemination

Science strives to be apolitical, but that was not possible for bacteriophage research during the Cold War era. Bacteriophages are viruses that attack very specific bacteria; antibiotics also attack bacteria but they are not targeted and can kill both the good and bad bacteria. The Cold War saw the initial phases of Soviets researching bacteriophages while the Americans and their allies levied heavy investments into all things antibiotics. During World War II, antibiotics were widely used and bacterial resistance was becoming more apparent. Because the US and its allies focused on antibiotics, they failed to recognize this natural antibacterial resistance, something that could be ameliorated by bacteriophages. Miriam Lipton is a PhD Candidate in the History of Science program examining the history of this era, as well as the actual scientific papers on bacteriophages and questions why the West has still not embraced this potential solution to bacterial resistance. We had a wide ranging discussion on the 1920-1960’s era history, the science available at the time, and Miriam’s travels to Russia and her personal experience with antibiotics.

Hosted by Adrian Gallo and Lisa Hildebrand

Guest: Miriam Lipton

Inspiration Dissemination Blog: https://blogs.oregonstate.edu/inspiration/2021/11/22/two-ways-of-killing-bacteria/

Show Notes

Science strives to be apolitical, but that was not possible for bacteriophage research during the Cold War era. Bacteriophages are viruses that attack very specific bacteria; antibiotics also attack bacteria but they are not targeted and can kill both the good and bad bacteria. The Cold War saw the initial phases of Soviets researching bacteriophages while the Americans and their allies levied heavy investments into all things antibiotics. During World War II, antibiotics were widely used and bacterial resistance was becoming more apparent. Because the US and its allies focused on antibiotics, they failed to recognize this natural antibacterial resistance, something that could be ameliorated by bacteriophages. Miriam Lipton is a PhD Candidate in the History of Science program examining the history of this era, as well as the actual scientific papers on bacteriophages and questions why the West has still not embraced this potential solution to bacterial resistance. We had a wide ranging discussion on the 1920-1960’s era history, the science available at the time, and Miriam’s travels to Russia and her personal experience with antibiotics.
Hosted by Adrian Gallo and Lisa Hildebrand
Guest: Miriam Lipton
Inspiration Dissemination Blog: https://blogs.oregonstate.edu/inspiration/2021/11/22/two-ways-of-killing-bacteria/

What is Inspiration Dissemination?

Inspiration Dissemination is an award-winning radio program that occurs Sunday nights at 7PM Pacific on KBVR Corvallis, 88.7FM. Each week on the program, we host a different graduate student worker from Oregon State University to talk about their lives and passion for research here at the university. By presenting these stories, we can present the diverse, human element of graduate research that is often hidden from the public view.

Please find us on social media!

Twitter: twitter.com/kbvrID

facebook: www.facebook.com/InspirationDissemination/

Blog: blogs.oregonstate.edu/inspiration/

Radio Station: www.orangemedianetwork.com/kbvr_fm

Host University: oregonstate.edu

This show was founded in 2012 by Joey Hulbert and Zhian Kamvar. It has been made possible by all the current and former hosts of the show, Orange Media Network, the KBVR-FM students and staff, and of course the amazing graduate students at Oregon State University.