Phage-Based Sensors in Medicine: A Review

Abstract

Bacteriophages are interesting entities on the border of biology and chemistry. In nature, they are bacteria parasites, while, after genetic manipulation, they gain new properties, e.g., selectively binding proteins. Owing to this, they may be applied as recognition elements in biosensors. Combining bacteriophages with different transducers can then result in the development of innovative sensor designs that may revolutionize bioanalytics and improve the quality of medical services. Therefore, here, we review the use of bacteriophages, or peptides from bacteriophages, as new sensing elements for the recognition of biomarkers and the construction of the highly effective diagnostics tools.

The Use of Bacteriophages in Biotechnology and Recent Insights into Proteomics

“…Moreover, phages can detect very small bacterial amounts, as by replicating inside their host cells they greatly amplify the detection signal in each viral reproductive cycle [49]. Phage-based sensing methods also have the advantage of being inexpensive and robust, maintaining a stability under unfavorable conditions, such as high temperatures or in the presence of solvents, that is far greater than that displayed by antibodies [50].…”

“…Three of the available systems, Ph.D.-7, Ph.D.-12 and Ph.D.-C7C, offer the possibility of testing 12 linear amino acid residues, 7 linear residues, and either cyclic (via cys-cys disulfide bond) or 7 random peptides, respectively. Due to the current demands in this area of research, it is predictable that new improvements and additional techniques will become available in the near future [50].…”

“…Corvium, In.) [50]. Undoubtedly, there is a great future for phage-based technologies as indicated by the current knowledge concerning the high variability and abundance of these organisms, and it can be predicted that further studies on this field will result in the development of novel phage-based biotechnological applications that will not only bring health benefits, but also improve commercial techniques [69].…”

Filamentous bacteriophages, natural nanoparticles, for viral vaccine strategies

“…They are important in biomedicine, particularly in the development of new vaccines, therapeutic drug carriers, and targeted therapy. 12–16…”

“…They are important in biomedicine, particularly in the development of new vaccines, therapeutic drug carriers, and targeted therapy. [12][13][14][15][16] It is now critical to develop viral vaccines that induce longterm protective immune responses without compromising safety and tolerability. As a vaccine carrier, a filamentous bacteriophage maintains its original viral structure.…”