We offer custom isolation services to find novel phages from environmental or clinical samples that target your specific bacterial strains of interest.
Bacteriophages, often simply known as phages, are the most abundant biological entities on the planet, outnumbering bacteria by an estimated tenfold. As the viruses that infect bacteria are specifically called bacteriophages, they have played a pivotal role in the history of molecular biology, serving as the tools that led to the discovery of DNA as genetic material. Today, they are at the forefront of the fight against antibiotic resistance. At Creative Biolabs, we provide comprehensive Phage Services to support researchers in exploring these fascinating viral particles, from initial discovery and isolation to advanced genetic engineering and therapeutic development.
The discovery of bacteriophages is a fascinating chapter in the history of microbiology, marked by independent observations by two researchers in the early 20th century. The story begins in 1915 with Frederick Twort, an English bacteriologist. While attempting to grow viruses in artificial media, Twort noticed a "glassy transformation" in his bacterial colonies of Staphylococcus. He observed that these transparent areas contained an agent capable of destroying the bacteria and that this agent could be transmitted to fresh colonies. Although Twort hypothesized that this might be a virus, he also considered it might be an enzyme, and his work was interrupted by World War I.
Two years later, in 1917, the French-Canadian microbiologist Felix d'Herelle made a similar discovery while working at the Pasteur Institute in Paris. Investigating an outbreak of dysentery among French troops, d'Herelle filtered the stool of recovering patients and added the filtrate to cultures of Shigella. He observed the rapid clearing of the turbid bacterial cultures. Unlike Twort, d'Herelle was convinced from the outset that he had discovered a virus that parasitizes bacteria. He coined the term "bacteriophage"—derived from "bacteria" and the Greek "phagein" (to eat)—to describe this microbe-eater. The phages meaning is literally "bacteria eaters," a name that perfectly describes their lytic activity.
Understanding the fundamental biology of these viruses is essential for any application. The bacteriophage definition in biology refers to a virus that infects and replicates within bacteria and archaea. They are obligate intracellular parasites that lack their own metabolic machinery and must hijack the host cell's systems to reproduce.
The structure of bacteriophage particles is both elegant and functional, evolved to deliver genetic material through the tough bacterial cell wall. While phages exhibit significant morphological diversity, they are generally classified into distinct types based on their shape and nucleic acid content. The most iconic group is the order Caudovirales, or tailed phages, which account for the majority of known phages.
However, other types include filamentous phages (Inoviridae), which are long and thin, and pleomorphic or icosahedral phages without tails. A typical labeled bacteriophage diagram of a complex tailed phage (like the T4 phage) includes several distinct components:
Fig.1
Structural components of a tailed bacteriophage.
The bacteriophage parts generally consist of:
Following their discovery, phages were initially used therapeutically in the 1920s and 30s, particularly in Eastern Europe. However, the advent of broad-spectrum antibiotics led to a decline in phage therapy research in the West. Today, with the global crisis of multi-drug resistant (MDR) bacteria, we are witnessing a renaissance in phage research.
Current research status and development trends include:
We provide a complete suite of services to support your bacteriophage research, from initial isolation to detailed characterization and large-scale production.
We offer custom isolation services to find novel phages from environmental or clinical samples that target your specific bacterial strains of interest.
Comprehensive analysis including host range determination, one-step growth curves, and stability testing to ensure your phage is suitable for downstream applications.
High-resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) services to visualize morphology, confirm bacteriophage structure, and classify your phage.
Robust protocols for the purification of high-titer phage stocks, removing endotoxins and host cell contaminants for safe use in research.
Recent advances in cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) have provided unprecedented views of the structure of bacteriophage components, revealing the mechanical complexity of these viral machines. In a pivotal study published in Nature Communications, researchers presented the near-atomic resolution structure of the bacteriophage T4 portal protein assembly.
Fig.2
Atomic model of the T4 portal protein assembly.1
This figure illustrates the dodecameric assembly of the portal protein, which serves as a critical sensor for DNA packaging. The atomic model reveals the intricate interactions within the central channel that facilitate the translocation of the viral genome into the capsid. Understanding this bacteriophage diagram at an atomic level is crucial for engineering phages with modified packaging capabilities for gene therapy.
Q: What is a bacteriophage?
Q: What do phages infect?
A: Phages infect only bacterial cells (and some archaea). They are highly specific, often targeting only specific strains within a bacterial species, determined by the interaction between the phage tail fibers and bacterial surface receptors.
Q: What are the main parts of a bacteriophage?
A: The main parts include the head (capsid) containing the genetic material, and often a tail structure which may consist of a collar, sheath, baseplate, and tail fibers.
Q: Are bacteriophages harmful to humans?
A: No, bacteriophages are harmless to humans and animals as they cannot infect eukaryotic cells. They are naturally present in large numbers in the human body, particularly in the gut.
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.
