Bacteriophage-Host Interactions and Bacteriophage Therapy

Dear Colleagues,

From the discovery of bacterial viruses more than a century ago, bacteriophage biology remains one of the most fruitful fields of microbiology and virology. Nowadays, understanding the complex and multifaceted interactions of the bacteriophages with their bacterial hosts goes far beyond a simple paradigm of host–parasite relationships. Phage infection in nature is no longer considered as merely a restrictive factor for microbial populations, but rather as a shaping force, enhancing the evolution, maintaining diversity and stimulating the activities of bacteria.

Nevertheless, recent research and previous practical experience suggest that bacteriophages can be adapted to combat bacterial pathogens in such a complex environment as the human or animal body. Bacteriophage therapy is one of the most promising approaches to tackle the problem of the spreading of drug resistance, threating to return humankind back to the era without effective antibacterial therapy. It becomes evident that in order to make phage therapy effective, it is not enough to administrate to a patient a randomly chosen bacteriophage that is active in vitro against the microbial strain causing the infection. The methodology of the bacteriophage selection, modification and the strategy of phage-based drug administration should be built on the firm foundations of the ‘rules of the game’ of virus–host interactions at all levels, from molecular to organismal and populational.

This Special Issue of Microorganisms will be dedicated to the topics of bacteriophage–host interactions that are relevant for the development of new approaches in phage therapy. This includes but, is not limited to, the following themes: host cell recognition by bacteriophage particles, the factors influencing bacteriophage host ranges and the approaches to the artificial phage host range management, the resistance of bacteria to phages and the physiological consequences of resistance acquisition for bacteria, bacteriophage-mediated gene transfer and the evaluation of the risk associated with the use of transducing or temperate phages for therapy, phage interactions with microbial biofilms, the interactions of bacteriophages or phage–host consortia with macro-organisms, including issues related to phage pharmacokinetics or immune-modulatory effects, as well as other aspects of bacteriophage molecular biology and ecology relevant to bacteriophage therapy. All papers relevant to phage-based biocontrol in agriculture or other similar technologies are also welcome.

Prof. Andrey V. Letarov
Guest Editor

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• phage therapy
• bacteriophage-host interactions
• bacteriophage host range determinants
• bacteriophage engineering
• bacteriophages in biofilms
• bacteriophage pharmacokinetics
• resistance of bacteria to phages
• bacteriophage interactions with immune system.