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Diverse Durham collection phages demonstrate complex BREX defense responses
Abigail Kelly1, Sam C Went1, Giuseppina Mariano2
1Department of Biosciences, Durham University , Durham, UK.
Applied and Environmental Microbiology
|September 5, 2023
Summary
Bacteriophages (phages) are promising antibacterial alternatives. This study identified novel phages and found bacterial defense systems like BREX provide varied phage resistance, revealing complex interactions crucial for phage therapy development.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Genomics
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Bacteriophages (phages) are abundant viruses with potential as antimicrobials against rising antimicrobial resistance.
- Bacterial defense systems, such as Bacteriophage Exclusion (BREX), pose challenges to phage therapy efficacy.
- Understanding phage-bacterial interactions is vital for advancing phage therapeutics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To annotate genomes of 12 novel bacteriophage species isolated from Durham, UK.
- To investigate the impact of bacterial BREX defense systems on phage susceptibility.
- To explore the potential for novel phage discovery in undergraduate practical settings.
Main Methods:
- Isolation and genome sequencing of 12 novel bacteriophages.
- Comparative genomic analysis of selected phages.
- Experimental determination of phage resistance conferred by BREX systems.
Main Results:
- Discovery and annotation of 12 diverse novel phage genomes, including potential new genera.
- Demonstration that BREX systems confer varied resistance to phages.
- Finding that phage genome BREX target motif count does not directly correlate with susceptibility.
Conclusions:
- Undergraduates can contribute to novel phage discovery and characterization.
- Phage-BREX interactions are more complex than previously understood.
- Further research is needed to fully integrate phage-bacterial defense dynamics into phage therapy.