Question

Explain how we can use phage in daily life

Answer 1

Bacteriophages or phages are the most abundant organisms in the biosphere and they are a ubiquitous feature of prokaryotic existence.

A bacteriophage is type of virus, which can infects bacteria, either kill a bacterial cell or integrate its DNA into the host bacterial chromosome. For the first time d’Herelle called the virus bacteriophage or bacteria-eater.

Phages can replicate only inside host cells. They are associated with most bacterial families and use the ribosomes, protein-synthesizing factors, amino acids and energy-generating systems of the host cell to replicate. Indeed, phages can multiply only in metabolizing host bacteria.

Nowadays, using bacteriophage in different purpose viz., phage typing, Phages as indicators, as food preservatives and decontaminants, transducer and therapeutic agents considered as tremendous investigate to make facility for human being.

Probably no class of organisms has found a wider range of applications than bacteriophage.   Here are a few:

1. As a model system in genetics and biochemistry. Most of our understanding of the basics of the genetic code and gene expression is derived from work with bacteriophage.
2. As a source of tools for genetic engineering and molecular biology. Many of the enzymes used to manipulate DNA and RNA are derived from bacteriophage. More tools - including CRISP/Cas9 - are produced by bacteria as a defense against bacteriophage.
3. Phage typing - the differential sensitivity of bacterial strains to different bacteriophage - was used for many years in clinical microbiology labs to track outbreaks of bacterial infections.
4. As a clinical diagnostic. My company, MicroPhage, developed a 5 hour test that used bacteriophage to identify S. aureus bloodstream infections and determine their methicillin resistance or sensitivity.
5. As a food safety test. Sample6 (and others) have developed rapid tests that use modified bacteriophage to detect food borne pathogens (Disclosure - I occasionally consult for Sample6).
6. As a means of decontaminating food. Phages that kill Listeria bacteria are commonly used to decontaminate food production facilities.
7. As a means of reducing biofouling. Bacterial growth on various surfaces, such as oil pipelines, can result in significant blockage. Bacteriophage, which are relatively effective in penetrating biofilms, are used to combat this.
8. As a clinical therapeutic. In the pre-antibiotic era, bacteriophage were intensely studied as a possible treatment for serious infections. Although a number of cures were reported, results were inconsistent and adverse events were common. Bacteriophage may emerge again as an alternative to antibiotics as the rates of antibiotic resistance continue to climb.