Articles tagged with Bacteriophages
Research reveals complex interactions between soil microbes, viruses, and microplastics, influencing soil health and ecosystem recovery. Innovations such as phage-assisted microbial augmentation aim to enhance plastic degradation in soils.
Scientists have discovered new ways to kill bacteria by targeting the MurJ transporter, a key component of peptidoglycan biosynthesis. Researchers found that phage-derived protein antibiotics inhibit MurJ's activity, providing potential targets for antibacterial drugs.
Researchers discovered a single protein, Rip1, that recognizes bacteriophages and causes infected bacteria to die prematurely. This protein works by forming a ring that inserts into the bacterial inner membrane, killing the cell before the infecting phage can replicate.
Researchers identify thousands of rapidly evolving receptor-binding proteins, revealing how bacteria can be engineered to deliver proteins into specific human cells. The study provides insights into the evolutionary creativity of bacterial machines and their potential biomedical applications.
Researchers from New England Biolabs and Yale University have developed a first fully synthetic bacteriophage engineering system using the High-Complexity Golden Gate Assembly platform. This method simplifies strain engineering techniques, allowing for rapid creation of tailored therapeutic strains to overcome antibiotic resistance.
In a new study, terrestrial bacteria-infecting viruses were able to infect their E. coli hosts in near-weightless conditions aboard the ISS, but with distinct mutations. The dynamics of virus-bacteria interactions differed from those observed on Earth, highlighting potential insights into microbial adaptation and human health.
Researchers found that some phage-resistant mutations enhance bacteria's ability to sink carbon, while others slow down growth rates. The study suggests that the selection of surface mutants may play a key role in marine biological pump and carbon export.
Researchers discovered a tiny RNA molecule called PreS that helps viruses copy their DNA more efficiently and boost replication in bacterial cells. This discovery provides important insights for designing smarter phage-based therapies against antibiotic-resistant infections.
The discovery of five new bacteriophages in Lund University's Botanical Gardens' ponds has significant implications for phage research and treatment of bacterial infections. The newly-discovered phages were isolated using a motile E. coli strain, which was specifically designed to attract the viruses.
Researchers have catalogued a new collection of bacteria-eating viruses to combat the growing threat of hospital superbug Klebsiella pneumoniae. The open-source phage library offers scientists a valuable resource to develop new treatments and improve understanding of phages and bacteria interactions.
Researchers at UC San Diego have developed a new method to combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria using bacteriophages, which target the Klebsiella pneumoniae species. The evolved phages demonstrated improved effectiveness in killing multiple bacterial strains, including multidrug-resistant and extensively drug-resistant K. pneumoniae.
Researchers have created a detailed map of a bacteriophage, a virus that targets and kills harmful bacteria. The study's findings hold promise for developing new therapies to combat antibiotic resistance.
Researchers have mapped the full structure of bacteriophage Bas63 using cryo-EM, revealing unique decoration proteins and a rare whisker and collar structure. The detailed structural information will enable rational phage design and engineering efforts for specificity and target regions.
Scientists at the University of Pittsburgh have created phages with synthetic genetic material, allowing them to add and subtract genes. This breakthrough enables researchers to engineer phages to target specific bacteria, offering new hope for combating antibacterial resistance.
A literature review of cheese fermentation and ripening identified five underused, evidence-based measures to improve efficiency and sustainability in cheese production. By exploiting whey and encapsulating lactic acid bacteria, dairies can reduce waste and optimize production processes.
A new broad-spectrum antivenom developed by DTU researchers covers 17 African snake species and provides better protection against tissue damage, with a lower risk of immune reactions. The antivenom has shown impressive results in laboratory studies and could revolutionize the treatment of venomous snakebites in Africa.
A multidisciplinary team has successfully mapped the entire genome of Phage G, a massive bacterial virus that can be grown in labs and studied directly. This achievement uses cutting-edge AI analysis to unlock new insights into phages and their applications in fighting disease.
The winners of the Applied Microbiology International Horizon Awards 2025 have been recognized for their groundbreaking contributions to global challenges through applied microbiology. The awards celebrate excellence across various domains, including drug discovery and sustainable agriculture.
The Gladstone Infectious Disease Institute is broadening its research scope to tackle pressing health challenges beyond viruses. Scientists are discovering new ways to combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria and explore the interconnectedness of viruses and bacteria in causing chronic diseases.
Scientists develop novel experimental screening method to identify highly selective peptides with high therapeutic potential, enabling precise recognition of proteins involved in cancer and diabetes. The technique uses biologically- and chemically-modified bacteriophages to screen up to 1 billion peptides simultaneously.
Researchers develop RNA-based molecular tool to interfere with phage replication, allowing for targeted therapy against bacterial pathogens. The approach has potential applications in treating infections caused by hospital germs like Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Researchers are exploring the therapeutic potential of phage-based treatments, focusing on RNA phages that can hijack bacterial cell machinery and produce new phages. This study aims to elucidate the unique lifestyle of RNA phages and develop novel biotechnological tools for treating multi-resistant bacteria.
Researchers are collecting faeces from exotic animals at Dudley Zoo and West Midlands Safari Park to search for phages that can fight bacterial infections. The goal is to create a bio-bank of these phages to develop alternative treatments for life-threatening infections.
Researchers have identified a key defense mechanism in bacteria that protects them from viruses called phages, known as Kiwa. Phages are promising alternatives to antibiotics, but understanding how bacteria defend themselves is crucial to developing effective treatments.
Researchers found that immunocompromised animals respond better to phage therapy due to depleted alveolar macrophages, which initially seemed to hinder its efficacy. The study highlights the importance of the immune system in phage therapy and may inform personalized treatment strategies.
Researchers from Pusan National University have developed engineered bacterial vesicles that use a novel surface-displaying protein to selectively target and eliminate E. coli and S. aureus bacteria. These vesicles, derived from lactic acid bacteria, offer a promising alternative to conventional antibiotics.
Phage therapy is gaining recognition as a complementary tool to antibiotics, demonstrating potential in re-sensitizing resistant bacteria and extending antibiotic lifespan. Researchers are developing genetically customized phages for enhanced specificity and immune evasion mechanisms.
Researchers found that cholera bacteria acquired multiple distinct immune systems protecting them from diverse types of phages. These defense systems, including WonAB, GrwAB, and Vc SduA, contribute to the bacterial population's resistance spectrum.
Graham Hatfull, a renowned phage expert at Pitt, has been elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society, recognizing his contributions to the field of mycobacteriology. His lab's work on mycobacteriophages that kill bacteria and halt deadly infections has shown significant promise.
The international conference will focus on translating phage research into clinical reality, exploring key sessions and major speakers. Companies from various sectors are attending the event, highlighting the growing interest in phage therapy.
Computer scientist An Wang receives a $1M NSF CAREER grant to leverage cloud computing resources for efficient machine learning model training. Environmental engineer Bridget Hegarty receives a grant to develop safe and effective biocontrol for water systems using bacteriophages.
Scientists at Rockefeller University have identified a novel CARF effector called Cat1 that prevents viral replication by depleting NAD+ metabolites. The discovery sheds new light on the complex molecular mechanisms behind CRISPR-Cas9 defense systems.
Scientists discovered that certain bacteria can trigger their own cell death as a defense mechanism against viruses, utilizing components of the bacterial immune system. This phenomenon could be exploited to develop novel antimicrobial treatments and fight drug-resistant infections.
Scientists have discovered a novel immune signaling pathway in bacteria that turns viral infection machinery against the virus, potentially informing future biotech tools and phage therapy. This discovery reveals an ancient defense strategy that could help fight superbugs.
A new study by Virginia Tech researchers suggests that bacteriophages, or virus-like particles, may increase the sensitivity of gut bacteria to antibiotics. The team created a mouse model that allows them to control phage populations and found evidence that phages can exacerbate antibiotic damage.
Researchers at Pitt have produced the most detailed image of a bacteriophage, revealing its structural makeup and enabling the design of phages to target specific bacterial strains. The high-definition images reveal intricate interactions between proteins in the tail tip, which binds to bacteria cells.
The 8th World Congress on Targeting Phage Therapy 2025 will bring together global phage community to address clinical, regulatory, and industrial challenges. The event will feature cutting-edge research, real-world clinical insights, and applications of bacteriophage therapy across medicine, oncology, agriculture, and industry.
A study by Umea University researchers identifies genes in Staphylococcus aureus that confer immunity against virus infection, a key mechanism to understand antibiotic resistance. Understanding this system could help develop new treatments for serious infections.
Researchers have discovered a protective cloaking mechanism in jumbo phages that shield their genetic material from the host's immune system. This innovation could lead to new therapies for antibiotic-resistant infections.
Scientists at Johns Hopkins Medicine discovered how bacteria protect themselves from certain phage invaders by seizing genetic material from weakened, dormant phages and forming a biological 'memory' that their offspring inherit. This process allows the bacteria to recognize and fight off similar viruses in the future.
Professor Robert T. Schooley will present a talk at the 8th World Congress on Targeting Phage Therapy, exploring phage therapy advancements and necessary steps for widespread adoption. The congress will gather experts to discuss latest advances, challenges, and clinical applications of bacteriophage therapy.
A new drug screening method developed by Tampere University has found biologically active molecules that target specific tissues, potentially solving delivery issues in cancer and brain diseases. The method uses phage display and microdialysis to identify peptides with tissue-homing and penetration capabilities.
Researchers analyzed phage-bacteria communities in children's stool samples to understand their role in type 1 diabetes development. They found dynamic changes in phage and bacterial populations, suggesting an 'arms race' between the two, but no clear link to disease risk.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have developed a method to convert gut bacteria into mini protein factories that produce and release sustained flows of targeted proteins within the lower intestine. This approach eliminates a major roadblock in delivering drugs to this part of the body, offering potential treatment for chronic diseases.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have developed a way to convert gut bacteria into miniature protein factories that produce and release targeted proteins inside the lower intestine. This breakthrough could potentially treat chronic diseases.
Researchers at UCSF have discovered how a unique type of virus called a jumbo phage protects itself inside bacteria. The shield works via a set of secret handshakes that allow only useful proteins to pass through, giving the phage an advantage over regular phages when fighting infections.
A new genomic toolkit called Sphae has been developed to quickly assess the suitability of phage therapy for treating antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains. The platform can analyze vast datasets in under 10 minutes, prioritizing safety and flagging genes associated with toxins or undesirable traits.
New research reveals that certain antibiotics can suppress the evolution of resistance to phages in E. coli bacteria by targeting a subset of LPS mutants. By modulating these mutants, antibiotics like chloramphenicol and gentamicin reduce phage resistance.
Researchers at Indiana University found that bacteria secrete molecules, like coelechelin, which weaken competitors' immune systems and increase their vulnerability to phage infection. This discovery highlights the potential of phage-chemical combinations in treating antibiotic-resistant infections.
A recent study found that multiple phage species can coexist stably on a genetically uniform strain of E. coli in the human gut. The researchers discovered that each phage species prefers slower or faster growing cells, allowing them to find a separate niche and maintain stable coexistence.
Three Texas A&M biologists have received NIH Maximizing Investigators’ Research Awards to support their research on type IV pili, darter fish social behaviors and bacteriophages. Drs Koch, Moran and Ramsey will explore bacterial behavior, genetic mechanisms and neural basis of paternal care in fish.
A new test developed by McMaster University uses bacteriophages to detect bacteria in fluids such as water, urine, or milk. The test produces quick results within hours, making it a valuable tool for diagnosing diseases and ensuring food safety.
Researchers developed an artificial intelligence model that selects the best phage cocktail for a given patient based on their genome. The model was tested on a new collection of E. coli strains responsible for pneumonia and showed high success rates.
A new study from the University of Copenhagen aims to replace fecal capsules with a standardized treatment using fermented feces. The method employs fermentation to cultivate beneficial microorganisms, producing a complex mixture of bacteria and bacteriophages that can fight gastrointestinal disorders.
Researchers have discovered a new type of CRISPR chemistry that floods infected cells with toxic molecules and shuts down activity, preventing viruses from spreading. The discovery sheds light on the complex mechanisms of CRISPR systems and their potential applications as diagnostic tools for infection.
The study describes the full molecular structure of the phage DEV, which infects and lysates Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria. The researchers discovered a genome ejection motor that pulls the DNA out of its head after infection, with conserved design principles across all Schitoviridae phages.
A group of McMaster researchers have discovered that phages can form into three-dimensional flower-like shapes, making them 100 times more efficient at finding bacterial targets. This breakthrough has significant implications for the detection and treatment of diseases, as it enables the creation of novel antimicrobial materials.
Researchers discovered an extremely diverse collection of viruses on toothbrushes and showerheads, including previously unknown species. These bacteriophages target bacteria, not humans, and have potential uses in treating antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections.
Scientists at Gladstone Institutes have discovered a diverse range of retrons that can edit DNA more quickly and efficiently than current methods, including CRISPR. The new retrons showed high editing rates in both bacteria and human cells, with some performing 10-fold better than the gold-standard retron.
Researchers at Gladstone Institutes have developed a streamlined way to engineer bacteriophages, viruses that naturally kill bacteria. The new technique uses retrons to edit phage genomes, allowing for the creation of numerous variants and paving the way for alternative treatments for antibiotic-resistant infections.