Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 11, 2025

Synthesis of Infectious Bacteriophages in an E. coli-based Cell-free Expression System
Published on: August 17, 2017
Use of Bacteriophages to Target Intracellular Pathogens
Alicia Fajardo-Lubian1,2, Carola Venturini2,3
1Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney ID Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
Abstract:
Bacteriophages (phages) have shown great potential as natural antimicrobials against extracellular pathogens (eg, Escherichia coli or Klebsiella pneumoniae), but little is known about how they interact with intracellular targets (eg, Shigella spp., Salmonella spp., Mycobacterium spp.) in the mammalian host. Recent research has demonstrated that phages can enter human cells. However, for the design of successful clinical applications, further investigation is required to define their subcellular behavior and to understand the complex biological processes that underlie the interaction with their bacterial targets. In this review, we summarize the molecular evidence of phage internalization in eucaryotic cells, with specific focus on proof of phage activity against their bacterial targets within the eucaryotic host, and the current proposed strategies to overcome poor penetrance issues that may impact therapeutic use against the most clinically relevant intracellular pathogens.
Related Concept Videos
Lytic Cycle of Bacteriophages
DNA Bacteriophages
CRISPR and crRNAs
The CRISPR-Cas system stores a copy of foreign DNA in the host genome and uses it to identify the foreign DNA upon reinfection. CRISPR-Cas has three different...
Lysogenic Cycle of Bacteriophages
Defense Against Bacterial Pathogens
Phagocytes
Phagocytes are the frontline soldiers of the immune system. They include neutrophils and macrophages. Neutrophils are the most abundant type of white blood cell and are quickly mobilized to the site of infection. Macrophages are larger cells that patrol...
Viral Replication: Lytic Cycle

