Bacteriophages and their implications on future biotechnology: a review

Virol J. 2012 Jan 10:9:9. doi: 10.1186/1743-422X-9-9.

Abstract

Recently it has been recognized that bacteriophages, the natural predators of bacteria can be used efficiently in modern biotechnology. They have been proposed as alternatives to antibiotics for many antibiotic resistant bacterial strains. Phages can be used as biocontrol agents in agriculture and petroleum industry. Moreover phages are used as vehicles for vaccines both DNA and protein, for the detection of pathogenic bacterial strain, as display system for many proteins and antibodies. Bacteriophages are diverse group of viruses which are easily manipulated and therefore they have potential uses in biotechnology, research, and therapeutics. The aim of this review article is to enable the wide range of researchers, scientists, and biotechnologist who are putting phages into practice, to accelerate the progress and development in the field of biotechnology.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Bacteria / virology*
  • Bacteriophages / genetics
  • Bacteriophages / physiology*
  • Biological Control Agents
  • Biotechnology / methods*
  • Humans
  • Vaccines

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Biological Control Agents
  • Vaccines