Phages are excellent tools for diagnosis, repair, and targeted microbiome manipulation. The ability of phages to bind species- and subspecies-specific target bacteria is their greatest advantage, but also has a major limitation: the host range of isolated phages is often narrow or cannot match the requirements of a specific application. This limitation will become more apparent when moving from model systems to clinical applications. To date, phages with the appropriate specificity have to be identified from environmental isolates. Several host-range modifications of phages have been achieved, most commonly through the presence of closely related virulent phages such as members of the T7, T4, and T2 families.) within the tail fiber gene to exchange the C-terminal domain. Our scientists are also working on ways to expand the host range of bacteriophages. These methods do not rely on the availability of isolated, well-characterized phages with suitable host ranges.
Fig 1. Reprogramming Bacteriophage Host Range (Dunne M, et al, 2019)Host range is a key feature of phage therapy as well as phage biology in general. Phage host range is not a fixed property of every phage. Rather, it can evolve over time and can exhibit unexpected plasticity. We strongly encourage the use of plaque testing to determine host range, rather than spot testing, when testing phage therapy and related applications. We provide phages with wild host range production services. They are listed as follows, but are not limited to:
Phage propagation relies on multiple steps: adsorption; DNA injection; gene replication; dependence on factors in the host critical for its spread; overcoming host defense mechanisms; and lysis of host cells. Unlike phage proliferation, DNA-transducing phages only require adsorption, overcoming defense mechanisms, and DNA injection capabilities.
Phage host range can be extended by infecting the desired host with large numbers of phages and thus selecting those phages that are mutated so that they can propagate in the desired host
Structure-guided design of receptor-binding protein chimeras generates phages with predictable host ranges
Creative Biolabs can meet the needs of customers by providing phages with wild host range production services on time and on budget. We have in-depth knowledge and experience of the tools and processes involved in the phage projects. Our skilled and dedicated scientific researchers ensure that the most suitable methods and techniques are selected for your project. If necessary, please feel free to contact us.
Please kindly note that our services can only be used to support research purposes (Not for clinical use).
Creative Biolabs is a globally recognized phage company. Creative Biolabs is committed to providing researchers with the most reliable service and the most competitive price.
