Investigating the bacteriophage- host interactions of clinical Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Cambridge
Department Name: Biochemistry
Abstract
Study aimed at isolating and characterising bacteriophages capable of infecting a broad range of clinical P. aeruginosa samples, derived from canine otitis externa, with the aim of furthering phage therapy based treatment in that area. Further looking into how certain bacteriophage characteristics, such as host range, transduction ability, lysogeny, etc affect the subsequent phage- host interaction.
| Description | What were the most significant achievements from the award? 12 clinical strains of P. aeruginosa from the Veterinary School have been characterised and sequenced (with 38 others currently in the pipeline). Over 100 bacteriophages capable of infecting and lysing these strains have been isolated, characterised, and 24 have also been sequenced. The bacteriophages have been tested for their ability to transfer genetic material via transduction, for their ability to integrate into the host genome (lysogeny), and for the speed at which they kill the target bacteria, aiming to identify those best suited for potential therapy. |
| Exploitation Route | Once the bacteriophages most suited for therapeutic use have been identified, it is the intention to set up a clinical trial in collaboration with the Cambridge Veterinary School to test their efficacy in vivo. |
| Sectors | Healthcare |
| Description | Collaboration with the Cambridge Veterinary School |
| Organisation | University of Cambridge |
| Department | Veterinary School |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Characterising pathology implicated clinical strains using genomics and phenotypic assays |
| Collaborator Contribution | Provided the afore-mentioned clinical strains. |
| Impact | 12 sequenced and characterised clinical strains of P. aeruginosa 112 bacteriophages isolated capable of lysing the clinical strains |
| Start Year | 2016 |