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DNA Bacteriophages01:26

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Bacteriophages, or phages, are viruses that specifically infect bacteria, utilizing their genetic material to hijack host cellular machinery for replication. DNA bacteriophages employ single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) or double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) genomes. These phages exhibit diverse replication strategies and host interactions, influencing their ecological roles and applications in biotechnology and medicine.ssDNA BacteriophagesssDNA phages, with their small genomes, utilize unique strategies to...
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Bacteriophages, also known as phages, are specialized viruses that infect bacteria. A key characteristic of phages is their distinctive “head-tail” morphology. A phage begins the infection process (i.e., lytic cycle) by attaching to the outside of a bacterial cell. Attachment is accomplished via proteins in the phage tail that bind to specific receptor proteins on the outer surface of the bacterium. The tail injects the phage’s DNA genome into the bacterial cytoplasm. In the...
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In contrast to the lytic cycle, phages infecting bacteria via the lysogenic cycle do not immediately kill their host cell. Instead, they combine their genome with the host genome, allowing the bacteria to replicate the phage DNA along with the bacterial genome. The incorporated copy of the phage genome is called the prophage. Some prophages can re-activate and enter the lytic cycle. This often occurs in response to a perturbation, such as DNA damage, but can also transpire in the absence of...
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Among the three main modes of HGT—transformation, conjugation, and transduction—transduction is unique in that it is mediated by bacteriophages, or bacterial viruses.Transduction occurs in two ways. Generalized transduction occurs during the lytic cycle of a bacteriophage infection. In this process, bacteriophages infect bacterial cells, replicate within them, and ultimately cause cell lysis, releasing newly assembled virions. Occasionally, random fragments of the bacterial genome...
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In 1928, bacteriologist Frederick Griffith worked on a vaccine for pneumonia, which is caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria. Griffith studied two pneumonia strains in mice: one pathogenic and one non-pathogenic. Only the pathogenic strain killed host mice.
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Genetically modified bacteriophages.

Antonia P Sagona1, Aurelija M Grigonyte, Paul R MacDonald

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Synthetic biology advances genetically modified phages, offering a promising solution to antibiotic resistance. These engineered bacteriophages have expanded applications in health, biocontrol, and industry, presenting significant societal and economic benefits.

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Area of Science:

  • Microbiology and Virology
  • Synthetic Biology
  • Biotechnology

Background:

  • Antibiotic resistance is a major global health and economic threat.
  • Bacteriophages (phages), viruses infecting bacteria, are abundant and being re-evaluated for therapeutic potential.
  • Advances in genetic modification technologies are expanding phage capabilities.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review how synthetic biology accelerates the development of genetically modified phages.
  • To describe the diverse applications of engineered phages.
  • To highlight the societal and economic benefits of recombinant phages.

Main Methods:

  • Review of current literature on phage engineering and synthetic biology.
  • Analysis of technological advancements in phage genome modification.
  • Exploration of diverse application areas for modified phages.

Main Results:

  • Synthetic biology tools significantly enhance the construction of genetically modified phages.
  • Engineered phages demonstrate expanded capabilities beyond natural isolates.
  • Reduced reliance on traditional phage isolation methods.

Conclusions:

  • Genetically modified phages are a viable strategy to combat antibiotic resistance.
  • Recombinant phages offer broad applications in healthcare, biodetection, biocontrol, and the food industry.
  • Phage therapy presents substantial societal and economic advantages.