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Phage-layer interferometry: a companion diagnostic for phage therapy and a bacterial testing platform
Patrick Needham1, Richard C Page1, Kevin Yehl2
1Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Miami University, Oxford, 45056, USA.
Scientific Reports
|March 13, 2024
Summary
Antibiotic resistance (AMR) requires new treatments. Phage therapy uses viruses to kill bacteria, but current screening methods are limited. Phage-layer Interferometry (PLI) offers a new diagnostic tool for effective phage therapy.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Biotechnology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Antibiotic resistance (AMR) is a growing global health threat, necessitating novel antimicrobial strategies.
- Phage therapy, utilizing bacteriophages to target specific bacteria, is a promising re-emerging treatment approach.
- Current phage screening methods, primarily optical assays, are unsuitable for complex biological or food matrices and lack detailed parameter analysis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate Phage-layer Interferometry (PLI) as a novel companion diagnostic for phage therapy.
- To assess PLI's capability as a quantitative phage screening method.
- To prototype PLI as a versatile bacterial detection platform.
Main Methods:
- Development of Phage-layer Interferometry (PLI), a diagnostic technique based on interferometry principles.
- Assessment of PLI's performance in quantitative phage screening.
- Prototyping PLI for bacterial detection, including in complex media like baby formula.
Main Results:
- PLI functions effectively in complex, opaque media, overcoming limitations of optical assays.
- PLI enables quantitative assessment of phage binding and lysis parameters.
- PLI demonstrates potential for automation and broad applicability in diagnostics.
Conclusions:
- Phage-layer Interferometry (PLI) presents a significant advancement in companion diagnostics for phage therapy.
- PLI's ability to function in challenging environments and provide detailed phage analysis addresses critical needs in combating AMR.
- The developed platform holds promise for enhancing phage therapy efficacy and safeguarding against foodborne illnesses.
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