中研院的高階冷凍電子顯微鏡能將極微小的樣品放大8萬7,000倍，從上萬張的放大照片中，研究團隊成功解析出臺灣分枝桿菌噬菌體的外殼結構。研究顯示噬菌體如同樂高積木般，只利用12個蛋白質結構單元，就能夠組成大頭針形狀的獨特結構。其圓球構造負責儲存遺傳物質而尾端的針頭結構則能夠穿入宿主細菌，噬菌體藉此獨特的結構得以感染並殺死細菌。
基於本研究成果，科學家得以按外殼藍圖改造，創造出能夠對抗多重抗藥性細菌的噬菌體。
Our structure of a whole mycobacteriophage, discovered in Taiwan, reveals how only 12 protein building blocks are repeatedly assembled into the pin-shaped structure. The capsid contains genomic materials, the needle at the other end punches a hole into the bacterial surface and the tube delivers the genomic material into the organism. Our research provides a blueprint for designing new phages with potential applications in treating mycobacterial disease via phage therapy.