"In theory, we could probably put anywhere up to about 10 vaccines in the same bacteriophage, " says Dr March.

BBC: Hope for cheaper, better vaccines

Even today, the bacteriophage is used as standard treatment in parts of Eastern Europe for bacterial infections from gangrene to strep throat.

BBC: Battle of Stalingrad

The initial euphoria around the bacteriophage as a means of combating what had been incurable conditions subsided and the virus was all but forgotten.

BBC: Battle of Stalingrad

The bacteriophage concept is related to the idea of DNA vaccination.

BBC: Hope for cheaper, better vaccines

The trick begins with a type of virus called a bacteriophage.

ECONOMIST: A poor diagnosis

The frantic search for an alternative treatment amid dire warnings that we are on the brink of returning to a pre-antibiotic era means the bacteriophage which was dismissed decades ago may yet have its day.

BBC: Battle of Stalingrad