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Bacteriophage necklace | sterling silver
A bacteriophage necklace for microbiologists, virologists, phage therapy researchers, and anyone who finds the T4 phage as elegant as it is functional. The most abundant biological entity on Earth, a virus that infects only bacteria, in 925 sterling silver.
The Science of the Bacteriophage
Bacteriophages are viruses that infect bacteria, present in virtually every environment in extraordinary abundance: an estimated 1031 phage particles exist on Earth, outnumbering all other biological entities combined. The T4 phage has become iconic in structural biology. Its icosahedral head, containing a roughly 170 kilobase double-stranded DNA genome, sits on top of a helical tail with a contractile sheath, a baseplate, and tail fibres that recognise specific surface receptors on the bacterial host. When a phage attaches, the sheath contracts, the inner tail tube punctures the bacterial membrane, and the DNA is injected into the cell. Phage played a central role in establishing the fundamentals of molecular biology: Hershey and Chase used T2 phage in 1952 to show that DNA, not protein, is the genetic material. With antibiotic resistance rising, phage therapy is now a serious clinical research area, with FDA approvals beginning to appear for compassionate-use treatment of multi-drug-resistant infections.
A Meaningful Gift for Science Lovers
For the people who think the T4 phage is one of the most beautiful objects in biology.
- microbiologists, virologists, and phage biologists
- infectious disease clinicians and antimicrobial stewardship pharmacists
- phage therapy researchers and biotech founders working on phage-based therapeutics
- structural biologists studying viral assembly and packaging
- molecular biologists who appreciate phage as the tools that built the field
For the colleague whose lab still calls a particularly elegant lysis "the Hershey-Chase result".
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FAQ
How can a virus cure a bacterial infection?
Bacteriophages infect bacteria and only bacteria, leaving human cells alone. They have been used clinically since the 1920s, mostly in Eastern Europe, and were largely sidelined in the West when antibiotics arrived. With multi-drug-resistant bacteria now killing more people than HIV and malaria combined globally, phage therapy is going through a research revival. Several FDA-approved compassionate-use phage treatments have been used successfully against multi-drug-resistant infections, and dozens of phage-based programmes are in clinical trials.
What does the pendant show?
A T4-style bacteriophage. The icosahedral head sits on top of a helical tail, with the baseplate and tail fibres at the bottom. It is one of the most-studied viruses in biology and the standard image of a phage in textbooks, posters, and conference slides. People who work on phage tend to recognise it across a room.
What size is the pendant and what does it ship with?
The pendant is 23 mm tall, sized so the head, tail, and baseplate read clearly. It comes on a 45 cm sterling silver chain (1.8 mm width, lobster clasp) with a 5 cm extender. Free worldwide DHL Express shipping in 1-5 business days, all import duties covered, in a ready-to-gift jewelry box.
Is the pendant available as earrings or in gold?
Yes to both. The bacteriophage earrings are a separate product, and the gold vermeil necklace is the warmer counterpart of this silver piece. The phage structure is identical across the three; the choice is about format and tone. Most clinicians and lab researchers buy the silver necklace, while the gold vermeil tends to land as a more deliberately worn piece outside the lab.
Cellular Biology
Step into the fascinating world of cellular biology through our unique jewelry designs. These pieces serve as wearable reflections of life's microscopic wonders, capturing the aesthetics of DNA strands, cellular formations, and more. Far from simple adornments, they spark dialogue and honor the captivating complexities found within biological research. Merging scientific accuracy with artistic flair, each creation offers a tactile experience that bridges the gap between scientific inquiry and aesthetic appreciation.
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