T4 (T4-Bacteriophage) Soft Toy - Giant Microbes

The perfect predator, T4 terminates its prey.  

A bacteriophage is a virus that attacks bacteria. When the tail fibres detect a target host the bacteriophage attaches to the cell, injects its DNA, and uses the bacteria’s machinery to reproduce. The virions, or dormant viruses, become activated when they come in contact with a target cell. T4 is a type of bacteriophage that infects E. coli.  They’re being used as an alternative to antibiotics in treating human bacterial infections, in a process called phage therapy. Phage therapy has an advantage over antibiotics because bacteria haven’t developed resistance to it like they have to antibiotics.

Includes a removable swing tag with headline educational information about this fascinating topic.

Size: 15cm x 12cm approx at widest point.

Giantmicrobes are based on actual microbes, cells, organisms and other critters, only 1,000,000 times actual size!

Plush from all new materials. Stuffed with polyester fibre fill. Surface washable: sponge with water & soap, air dry.

Age 3 years+