Germán Sgro, a researcher at the Center for Research in Biology of Bacteria and Bacteriophages (CEPID B3) and at the Ribeirão Preto School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (FCFRP) of the University of São Paulo (USP), will join the scientific committee of the 4th Latin American Conference on Bacteriophages starting in February. The congress — the leading regional event dedicated to the study of these viruses — will take place in March 2026 in Montevideo, Uruguay.

Now in its fourth edition, the conference aims to bring together researchers, professionals, and students interested in bacteriophage research. Bacteriophages, or phages, are viruses that exclusively infect bacteria and hold strong potential as an alternative therapy for combating bacterial infections. The initiative seeks to foster knowledge exchange and build collaborative networks, contributing to the development of applications in human, animal, and plant health, as well as to a deeper understanding of their environmental impacts.

The topic has gained increasing prominence in recent years and has become strategically important in light of the growing threat of bacterial resistance. According to the World Health Organization’s Global Antimicrobial Resistance and Use Surveillance System (GLASS) Report 2025, one in every six bacterial infections worldwide is already resistant to antibiotic treatment. In this context, bacteriophages are emerging as a promising frontline alternative against these pathogens. A pioneer in phage research, Brazil is home to centers of excellence in the field, such as CEPID B3, and is well positioned to assume a leading scientific role in the coming years.

As the only Brazilian representative on the congress’s scientific committee, Sgro joins ten other renowned researchers from Colombia, Argentina, Uruguay, and Chile. During the event, which will be held on March 12 and 13, he will also deliver a lecture on the structural biology of bacteriophages, one of his main research areas.