The rapid escalation of drug-resistant bacterial infections and under-resourced antimicrobial agents make it imperative to develop effective therapies. Bacteriophages (phages) are bacterial viruses that exist as the most abundant and diverse biological entities on the planet. Lytic (virulent) phages are viruses that can invade bacterial cells, disrupt the bacterial metabolism, and cause the cell to lyse. Due to these properties, lytic phages can be used as biocontrol agents for treating bacterial infections in humans and animals, and are recognized as promising alternatives against drug-resistant bacteria. Therefore, phage-based biocontrol strategies are receiving greater interest for their actions.
Phage-derived proteins include a bunch of enzymes with antibacterial activity, such as phage endolysins (lyisns), holins, polysaccharide depolymerases, and peptidoglycan hydrolases. Phage lysins and holins are produced by phages during the final stage of the lytic cycle to cleave the bacterial cell wall from inside. Polysaccharide depolymerases are phage structural components of the adsorption apparatus that target polysaccharides repeating units, making them anti-biofilm. The antimicrobial activity of phage-derived proteins can also be improved by genetic engineering techniques. As more and more phage-derived proteins are identified, a new chapter is opening in the development of antibacterial therapeutics.
The goal of this research topic is to publish original research and review articles related to the application of phages or phage-derived proteins as antimicrobial agents against animal bacterial infections or biofilms. We are still awaiting more studies which should be complex and focused on deep analysis of the interplay between phages or phage-derived proteins and bacteria or biofilms, which will serve to improve the development of phage or phage-derived proteins therapeutic applications. Studies discussing the efficacy and safety of phages or phage-derived proteins therapy in animals are also welcome.
• The application of phages or phage-derived proteins in the treatment of animal bacterial infection or biofilms
• The interplay mechanisms of phages or phage-derived proteins and bacteria or bacterial biofilms
• The efficacy and safety of phages or phage-derived proteins therapy in animals
Keywords:
Bacteriophages, Phage-derived proteins, infection, Biofilms, Bacterial pathogens
Important Note:
All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
The rapid escalation of drug-resistant bacterial infections and under-resourced antimicrobial agents make it imperative to develop effective therapies. Bacteriophages (phages) are bacterial viruses that exist as the most abundant and diverse biological entities on the planet. Lytic (virulent) phages are viruses that can invade bacterial cells, disrupt the bacterial metabolism, and cause the cell to lyse. Due to these properties, lytic phages can be used as biocontrol agents for treating bacterial infections in humans and animals, and are recognized as promising alternatives against drug-resistant bacteria. Therefore, phage-based biocontrol strategies are receiving greater interest for their actions.
Phage-derived proteins include a bunch of enzymes with antibacterial activity, such as phage endolysins (lyisns), holins, polysaccharide depolymerases, and peptidoglycan hydrolases. Phage lysins and holins are produced by phages during the final stage of the lytic cycle to cleave the bacterial cell wall from inside. Polysaccharide depolymerases are phage structural components of the adsorption apparatus that target polysaccharides repeating units, making them anti-biofilm. The antimicrobial activity of phage-derived proteins can also be improved by genetic engineering techniques. As more and more phage-derived proteins are identified, a new chapter is opening in the development of antibacterial therapeutics.
The goal of this research topic is to publish original research and review articles related to the application of phages or phage-derived proteins as antimicrobial agents against animal bacterial infections or biofilms. We are still awaiting more studies which should be complex and focused on deep analysis of the interplay between phages or phage-derived proteins and bacteria or biofilms, which will serve to improve the development of phage or phage-derived proteins therapeutic applications. Studies discussing the efficacy and safety of phages or phage-derived proteins therapy in animals are also welcome.
• The application of phages or phage-derived proteins in the treatment of animal bacterial infection or biofilms
• The interplay mechanisms of phages or phage-derived proteins and bacteria or bacterial biofilms
• The efficacy and safety of phages or phage-derived proteins therapy in animals
Keywords:
Bacteriophages, Phage-derived proteins, infection, Biofilms, Bacterial pathogens
Important Note:
All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.