Phages are efficient in diagnosing, treating, and preventing various diseases, and as sensing elements in biosensors. Phage display alone has gained attention over the past decade, especially in pharmaceuticals. Bacteriophages have also found importance in research aiming to fight viruses and in the consequent formulation of antiviral agents and vaccines. All these applications require control over the stability of virions. Phages are considered resistant to various harsh conditions. However, stability-determining parameters are usually the only additional factors in phage-related applications. Phages face instability and activity loss when preserved for extended periods. Sudden environmental changes, including exposure to UV light, temperature, pH, and salt concentration, also lead to a phage titer fall. This review describes various formulations that impart stability to phage stocks, mainly focusing on polymer-based stabilization, encapsulation, lyophilization, and nano-assisted solutions.
Bacteriophages (phages) are a specific type of viruses that infect bacteria. Because of growing antibiotic resistance among bacterial strains, phage-based therapies are becoming more and more attractive. The critical problem is the storage of bacteriophages. Recently, it was found that bacteriophages might adsorb on the surfaces of plastic containers, effectively decreasing the titer of phage suspensions. Here, we showed that a BOA nanocomposite (gold nanoparticles embedded in polyoxoborate matrix) deposited onto the inner walls of the containers stabilizes phage suspensions against uncontrolled adsorption and titer decrease. Additionally, BOA provides antibacterial and antifungal protection. The application of BOA assures safe and sterile means for the storage of bacteriophages.
The purpose of the observations was the viability and quality evaluation of E. coli bacteria encapsulated in hollow fiber membranes (HF) in short in vivo and in vitro experiments. A polypropylene, surface-modified hollow fiber was applied for immunoisolation of E. coli bacteria transfected with a green fluorescent protein (E. coli GFPI). The presence of GFP fluorescence of organisms was assessed with the use of flow cytometry. The E. coli GFPIs were then observed for the period of 5 days in in vitro experiments in the culture medium. A single IPTG (isopropyl β-D-1-thiogalactopyranoside) induction of GFP gene appeared to be adequate for an expression of GFP protein for 5 days. The GFP expression values observed for E. coli GFPs encapsulated in HF during culture in different culture media were comparable. The survival of E. coli GFPIs encapsulated in HF after 1, 2, 4, or 5 days of subcutaneous implantation into mice was evaluated. The explanted E. coli GFPIs exhibited mean expression 603 ± 17 (n = 32) units of fluorescence during the implantation period. The values obtained were comparable for selected days of observation. It was observed that the membranes applied ensured the bacteria growth within the HF's space only.
Bacteriophages are viruses that infect bacteria and thus threaten industrial processes relying on the production executed by bacterial cells. Industries bear huge economic losses due to such recurring and resilient infections.
Godronia canker caused by Godronia myrtilli (Feltgen) J.K. Stone is considered one of the most dangerous diseases of blueberry crops. The purpose of the study was the phenotypic characterization and phylogenetic analysis of this fungus. Infected stems were collected from blueberry crops in the Mazovian, Lublin, and West Pomeranian Voivodships in 2016–2020. Twenty-four Godronia isolates were identified and tested. The isolates were identified on the basis of their morphology and molecular characteristics (PCR). The average conidia size was 9.36 ± 0.81 × 2.45 ± 0.37 µm. The conidia were hyaline, ellipsoid or straight, two-celled, rounded, or terminally pointed. The pathogen growth dynamics were tested on six media: PDA, CMA, MEA, SNA, PCA, and Czapek. The fastest daily growth of fungal isolates was observed on SNA and PCA, and the slowest on CMA and MEA. Pathogen rDNA amplification was performed with ITS1F and ITS4A primers. The obtained DNA sequence of the fungus showed 100% nucleotide similarity to the reference sequence deposited in the GenBank. Molecular characterization of G. myrtilli isolates was performed for the first time in this study.
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