Phages have been used as therapy for over a hundred years, and much of the fundamental science relating to phages is understood. However, there is still more that the global and UK research communities can learn. Further research will be able to establish key issues such as long-term interactions between phages and human hosts and how phages can be engineered to maximum effect, to work alone or in combination with antibiotics. Such research will help hone phage therapeutics and clinical practice. The UK is well placed to conduct this research as it has a number of leading phage research centres and academics, and access to world class genomic sequencing and bioinformatic resources and experts.