Bacteriophage News and Research

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Bacteriophages are small, virus-like organisms that infect bacteria. They are comprised of a protein capsule around an RNA or DNA genome.

Colorimetric detection of SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA by an in vitro transcription/translation assay

This work has emphasized the clinical and translational potential of paper-based biosensors.

6 Dec 2021

Phage-like particle system provides a platform for quick and easy vaccine generation

In this study, researchers report on the development of a monovalent lambda PLP-based vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 or MERS-Cov through decoration with the spike RBD proteins from either virus.

11 Nov 2021

Two defense systems in bacteria work in a complementary manner to protect from viruses

A new study led by a team of bioscientists from Durham University, UK, in collaboration with University of Liverpool, Northumbria University and New England Biolabs, hopes to exploit newly characterized defense systems in bacteria to compare changes to the human genome.

18 Oct 2021

Scientists move a step closer to harnessing viruses to fight antibiotic resistance

As antibiotics increasingly develop resistance to bacteria that cause infection, scientists have moved a step closer to harnessing viruses as an alternative form of therapy.

12 Oct 2021

Pairing bacteriophages with antibiotics to fight drug-resistant pathogens

Mycobacterium abscessus, a relative of the bacteria that cause tuberculosis and leprosy, is responsible for particularly severe damage to human lungs and can be resistant to many standard antibiotics, making infections extremely challenging to treat.

18 Sep 2021

Rice lab receives NIH grant to unravel DNA’s secrets

The poor bacteriophages in Yang Gao's lab are about to have a lot of bad days.

28 Aug 2021

Low-cost point of emission air purifiers can reduce airborne transmission of pathogens, says study

In a study conducted at the Monash University, Australia, scientists have examined the efficacy of portable air purifiers combined with a hood in reducing virus aerosol transmission and protecting healthcare workers from workplace contamination. The study is currently available on the medRxiv* preprint server.

20 Aug 2021

Controlling the spread of SARS-CoV-2 at a large public university

Researchers from the U.S. recently reported a multimodal "SHIELD: Target, Test, and Tell" program that helped mitigate the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 at a large public university. The program also prevented community transmission and helped the continuation of in-person classes during the pandemic. This study is available on the medRxiv* preprint server.

9 Aug 2021

Bacteriophages named after Norfolk village of Colney could help combat C. difficile infections

Viruses have a menacing reputation for causing disease but some that target bacteria could actually benefit human health.

5 Aug 2021

Strategies to reduce SARS-CoV-2 infection risk from bioaerosol exposure during dental procedures

Limiting infection transmission is central to the safety of all in dentistry, particularly during the current SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, yet many dental procedures unavoidably generate aerosols.

3 Aug 2021

Surprising similarities found in membrane proteins of bacteria and humans

The cells of simple organisms, such as bacteria, as well as human cells are surrounded by a membrane, which fulfills various tasks including protecting the cell from stress.

24 Jun 2021

Study reveals mechanism through which 'good' viruses can attack 'bad' bacteria

The battle against antibiotic-resistant bacteria: A new study at Tel Aviv University revealed a mechanism through which "good" viruses can attack the systems of "bad" bacteria, destroy them and block their reproduction.

7 Jun 2021

Texas A&M AgriLife receives grant to support research on bacteriophage therapy

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIAID, part of the National Institutes of Health, NIH, has awarded $2.5 million in grants to support research on bacteriophage therapy, and Texas A&M AgriLife Research is among the grant recipients.

29 Apr 2021

NIAID awards $2.5 million in grants to support research on bacteriophage therapy

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, part of the National Institutes of Health, has awarded $2.5 million in grants to 12 institutes around the world to support research on bacteriophage therapy.

11 Mar 2021

Coronavirus-like nanoparticles could serve as a positive control for COVID-19 tests

Rapid COVID-19 tests are on the rise to deliver results faster to more people, and scientists need an easy, foolproof way to know that these tests work correctly and the results can be trusted. Nanoparticles that pass detection as the novel coronavirus could be just the ticket.

2 Mar 2021

'Phage therapy' helps treat mice infected with multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae

Using viruses instead of antibiotics to tame troublesome drug-resistant bacteria is a promising strategy, known as bacteriophage or "phage therapy."

23 Feb 2021

Disinfectants could be helping bacteria to become resistant

News-Medical speaks to Professor Robert Bragg about disinfectants and how they could be helping bacteria to become resistant.

22 Feb 2021

Study shows how bacteriophage lysis genes could be key to developing new antibiotics

A study from the Center for Phage Technology, part of Texas A&M's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and Texas A&M AgriLife Research, shows how the "hidden" genes in bacteriophages -- types of viruses that infect and destroy bacteria -- may be key to the development of a new class of antibiotics for human health.

7 Feb 2021

Researchers use SARS-CoV-2 to bioengineer universal vaccine platform

Using SARS-CoV-2, a team of scientists from the United States has recently developed a bioengineered bacteriophage T4 nanoparticle structure using CRISPR technology that can be used as a universal platform to produce vaccines.

21 Jan 2021

Researchers find new method for safe and effective delivery of medicines to the lungs

Investigators at Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey and Rutgers New Jersey Medical School recently identified a new method for safe and effective delivery of medicines to the lungs that can be used for multiple clinical applications, potentially including aerosol vaccination.

10 Dec 2020