Nanoparticles Influence Lytic Phage T4-like Performance In Vitro

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Nanotechnology
• Environmental Science

Background:

• Interactions between complex bacteriophages (phages) and non-ordered nanoparticles (NPs) are poorly understood.
• Investigating these interactions is crucial for understanding environmental contact effects and potential bio-sanitization co-applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the influence of various nanoparticles (NPs) on the performance of a T4-like phage.
• To elucidate the mechanisms underlying phage-nanoparticle interactions based on NP properties.

Main Methods:

• Assessed phage plaque-forming ability, lytic performance, burst times, and titers.
• Utilized Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and zeta potential (ZP) measurements of NPs.
• Correlated microbiological data with NP physicochemical properties, specifically ZP.

Main Results:

• Nanoparticle surface charge, particularly zeta potential, significantly impacts phage interaction and performance.
• Established threshold ZP values (< -35 mV for tail binding, > 35 mV for head binding) for specific phage-NP interactions.
• Most NPs enhanced phage lytic activity, except for SiO2 and Fe3O4-SiO2, which showed binding to the phage tail due to low ZP.

Conclusions:

• Nanoparticle charge alone is insufficient for specific phage attachment; zeta potential is the key factor.
• Phage-nanoparticle interactions are specific when ZP thresholds are met, otherwise they are non-specific.
• Nanoparticles alter phage lytic activity, with most positively influencing it, suggesting potential for engineered bio-sanitization strategies.