How a scientist used viruses to save her husband’s life from a superbug

We talk to Professor Steffanie Strathdee, an AIDS researcher who saved her husband's life with a forgotten, hundred-year-old cure.

Published: February 4, 2021 at 8:00 pm

In this week's episode of theScience Focus Podcast, we're joined by AIDS researcher Professor Steffanie Strathdee.

In 2015, Strathdee's husband was infected by a superbug that was resistant to every antibiotic that the doctors could throw at it, but she was able to save his life with an experimental treatment made of viruses found in sewage.

Strathdee is the author ofThe Perfect Predator (£14.99, Hachette Books), which tells the story.

In the New Year issue ofBBC Science Focus Magazine, we cover the biggest ideas that you need to understand in 2021. This episode is one of a series in which we talk to the experts who will explain these ideas in their own words.

Let us know what you think of the episode with a review or a comment wherever you listen to your podcasts.

Listen to more episodes of theScience Focus Podcast: