Evaluation of bacterial susceptibility to bacteriophages

Background of Bacterial susceptibility to bacteriophages

•    Phages are simple, non-living biological entities.
•    Phages bind to specific receptors on the bacterial cell surface, inject their genetic material into the host cell, and then either integrate this material into the bacterial genome, or hijack the bacterial replication machinery to produce the next generation of phage progeny and lyse the cell.
•    Host specificity varies among phages, some of which are strain-specific, whereas others have demonstrated the capability of infection across a range of bacterial strains and even genera.
•    Phage therapy is an alternative way to cure bacterial infections caused by antibiotic-resistant germs that cannot be treated with antibiotics.

Objectives of the model

•    Determination of the infectivity of a phage against E. coli strains by double agar overlay assay (DLA).
•    Quantification of the infection capacity by titration of the phage particles produced.

Our approach at Vibiosphen 

•    2.5 mL of 45°C LB medium 0.5% agar (soft agar overlay) containing 10 µL of a 6 h culture of E. coli strains were added to the surface of LB 1.5% agar plates. 
•    100 μL of phage x was then spotted onto the surface. 
•    After 24 h incubation at 37°C, the overlay was scrapped off the surface of plates and centrifuged (1000 rpm, 25 min). 
•    The supernatants were filtered through a 0.22 μm filter. 
•    The phages were titrated with the double layer agar method by plating serial dilutions of the phages-containing supernatants.
•    Plaques were counted for each dilution of the phage and the infectivity of the phage was compared to its activity against a reference host strain (Efficiency of Plating).

Outcomes of Bacterial susceptibility to bacteriophages model

Figure. Phage titration. Numbers in the upper left corner indicate the respective dilution of the phage

Table. Efficiency of plating of phage x against 5 E. coli strains. suspension
 

Why Choose Vibiosphen?

•    Proven expertise in preclinical research
•    Flexible and customized study designs adapted to sponsor requirements (see downloads available as example) 
•    Advanced facilities to ensure reliable and reproducible results (BSL2 and BSL3) 
•    Strong collaborations with pharmaceutical companies, biotech firms, and academic partners
Vibiosphen combines scientific excellence with industry know-how to deliver actionable preclinical data that drive innovation in infectious disease therapeutics.
 

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