Viruses as Tools in Human Medicine

The ever-growing field of human medicine as we know it today stands upon the research of current and past scientists. Medical solutions have been brought to the table, proven wrong, replaced, and improved. Some never see the light of day. In the early to mid 20th century, scientists around the world investigated the use of viruses as a form of medical treatment. This research fell into the shadows, outshone by the mainstream treatments at the time. However, with more advanced technology at our disposal and a stronger foundation of knowledge today, modern research is bringing two kinds of viral therapy back into the spotlight: phage therapy and oncolytic viral therapy. This paper appreciates the history, concepts, benefits, challenges, and current outlook of these two “spotlight” biotechnologies. As research continues, these viral therapies are posing to embrace an important role in the future of human medicine.Alper, HalUndergraduate Studie