Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 6, 2026

Isolation and Genome Analysis of Single Virions using 'Single Virus Genomics'
08:31

Isolation and Genome Analysis of Single Virions using 'Single Virus Genomics'

Published on: May 26, 2013

11.6K

The isolation and characterization of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia T4-like bacteriophage DLP6

Danielle L Peters1, Paul Stothard2, Jonathan J Dennis1

  • 16-065 Centennial Centre for Interdisciplinary Science, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

Plos One
|March 15, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Researchers isolated a novel bacteriophage, DLP6, effective against the antibiotic-resistant bacterium Stenotrophomonas maltophilia. This discovery offers a promising new avenue for phage therapy in combating difficult-to-treat bacterial infections.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Bacteriology
  • Virology

Background:

  • Antibiotic resistance in Stenotrophomonas maltophilia presents a global health challenge.
  • Limited treatment options necessitate alternative therapeutic strategies.
  • Phage therapy, using bacteriophages to target bacteria, is a potential solution.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To isolate and characterize a bacteriophage capable of infecting and lysing Stenotrophomonas maltophilia.
  • To investigate the genetic makeup and evolutionary history of the isolated bacteriophage.

Main Methods:

  • Isolation of bacteriophage DLP6 from a soil sample using S. maltophilia as the host.
  • Host range analysis against 27 clinical S. maltophilia isolates.
  • Transmission electron microscopy for morphological characterization.
  • Whole-genome sequencing and bioinformatic analysis.

Main Results:

  • Bacteriophage DLP6 was successfully isolated and demonstrated lytic activity against 13 out of 27 clinical S. maltophilia isolates.
  • Transmission electron microscopy classified DLP6 as a member of the Myoviridae family.
  • Genome analysis revealed DLP6 belongs to the T4-superfamily, with unique features including a transposase and direct terminal repeats.

Conclusions:

  • Bacteriophage DLP6 is a novel agent with potential for treating Stenotrophomonas maltophilia infections.
  • The unique genetic composition of DLP6 provides insights into phage evolution.
  • This discovery advances the field of phage therapy for multidrug-resistant bacteria.

More Related Videos

Author Spotlight: Investigating Bacteriophage-Induced Immune Responses in Gnotobiotic Mice08:46

Author Spotlight: Investigating Bacteriophage-Induced Immune Responses in Gnotobiotic Mice

Published on: January 26, 2024

2.7K
An Optimized Enrichment Technique for the Isolation of Arthrobacter Bacteriophage Species from Soil Sample Isolates13:24

An Optimized Enrichment Technique for the Isolation of Arthrobacter Bacteriophage Species from Soil Sample Isolates

Published on: April 9, 2015

20.7K

Related Concept Videos

DNA Bacteriophages01:26

DNA Bacteriophages

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...
1.2K
Viral Replication: Lytic Cycle01:20

Viral Replication: Lytic Cycle

Bacteriophages, or phages, are viruses that specifically infect bacteria. Among them, T-even bacteriophages, such as T4, exhibit a well-characterized lytic replication cycle in Escherichia coli (E. coli). This process ensures the rapid proliferation of the virus while ultimately leading to the destruction of the bacterial host.Attachment and DNA InjectionThe infection process begins with the recognition and binding of the T4 phage to the E. coli cell surface. Tail fibers of the phage...
2.1K
Lytic Cycle of Bacteriophages01:30

Lytic Cycle of Bacteriophages

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...
78.8K