Phage-ligand technology

The Phage-ligand technology is a technology to detect, bind, and remove bacteria and bacterial toxins by using highly specific bacteriophage-derived proteins.^[1]

Origins

The host recognition of bacteriophages occurs via bacteria-binding proteins that have strong binding affinities to specific protein or carbohydrate structures on the surface of the bacterial host. At the end of the infection life cycle, the bacteria-lysing Endolysin is synthesized and degrades the bacterial peptidoglycan cell wall, resulting in lysis (and therefore killing) of the bacterial cell.

Applications

Bacteriophage-derived proteins are used for the detection and removal of bacteria^[2][3] and bacterial components (especially endotoxin contaminations) in pharmaceutical and biological products, human diagnostics, food,^[4][5] and decolonization of bacteria causing nosocomial infections (e.g., MRSA). Protein modifications allow the biotechnological adaption to specific requirements.

See also

• Affinity magnetic separation