The Phage-ligand technology is a technology to detect, bind, and remove
bacteria
Bacteria (; : bacterium) are ubiquitous, mostly free-living organisms often consisting of one Cell (biology), biological cell. They constitute a large domain (biology), domain of Prokaryote, prokaryotic microorganisms. Typically a few micr ...
and
bacterial toxins by using highly specific
bacteriophage
A bacteriophage (), also known informally as a phage (), is a virus that infects and replicates within bacteria. The term is derived . Bacteriophages are composed of proteins that Capsid, encapsulate a DNA or RNA genome, and may have structu ...
-derived proteins.
Origins
The
host recognition of bacteriophages occurs via bacteria-binding proteins that have strong binding affinities to specific protein or
carbohydrate
A carbohydrate () is a biomolecule composed of carbon (C), hydrogen (H), and oxygen (O) atoms. The typical hydrogen-to-oxygen atomic ratio is 2:1, analogous to that of water, and is represented by the empirical formula (where ''m'' and ''n'' ...
structures on the surface of the bacterial host. At the end of the
infection life cycle, the bacteria-lysing
Endolysin is synthesized and degrades the bacterial
peptidoglycan
Peptidoglycan or murein is a unique large macromolecule, a polysaccharide, consisting of sugars and amino acids that forms a mesh-like layer (sacculus) that surrounds the bacterial cytoplasmic membrane. The sugar component consists of alternating ...
cell wall
A cell wall is a structural layer that surrounds some Cell type, cell types, found immediately outside the cell membrane. It can be tough, flexible, and sometimes rigid. Primarily, it provides the cell with structural support, shape, protection, ...
, resulting in
lysis
Lysis ( ; from Greek 'loosening') is the breaking down of the membrane of a cell, often by viral, enzymic, or osmotic (that is, "lytic" ) mechanisms that compromise its integrity. A fluid containing the contents of lysed cells is called a ...
(and therefore killing) of the bacterial cell.
Applications
Bacteriophage-derived proteins are used for the detection and removal of bacteria and bacterial components (especially
endotoxin contaminations) in pharmaceutical and biological products, human diagnostics, food,
Applications of the phage-ligand technology (endotoxin detection, endotoxin removal, food safety testing)
/ref> and decolonization
Decolonization is the undoing of colonialism, the latter being the process whereby Imperialism, imperial nations establish and dominate foreign territories, often overseas. The meanings and applications of the term are disputed. Some scholar ...
of bacteria causing nosocomial infections (e.g., MRSA
Methicillin-resistant ''Staphylococcus aureus'' (MRSA) is a group of gram-positive bacteria that are genetically distinct from other strains of ''Staphylococcus aureus''. MRSA is responsible for several difficult-to-treat infections in humans. ...
).
Protein modifications allow the biotechnological adaption to specific requirements.
See also
* Affinity magnetic separation
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Phage-Ligand Technology
Laboratory techniques
Molecular biology