The present invention describes a genetically modified Staphylococcus aureus bacteriophage VDX-10 comprising the DNA of the bacteriophage VDX-10 being altered by inserting a gene sequence that increases the ability of the bacteriophage to replicate faster as compared to unmodified VDX-10 bacteriophage; a method of producing the genetically modified Staphylococcus aureus bacteriophage VDX-10; and a method of treating infection in a patient by administering an amount of the genetically modified Staphylococcus aureus bacteriophage effective to eliminating the Staphylococcus bacteria cells, where the infection can be Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia (VAP) or bacteremia as incited by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcal aureus (MRSA) or methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcal aureus (MSSA).

This invention provides a robust fermentation process for the expression of a capsid protein of a bacteriophage which is forming a VLP by self-assembly, wherein the process is scalable to a commercial production scale and wherein the expression rate of the capsid protein is controlled to obtain improved yield of soluble capsid protein. This is achieved by combining the advantages of fed-batch culture and of lactose induced expression systems with specific process parameters providing improved repression of the promoter during the growth phase and high plasmid retention throughout the process.

Described is an “artificial virus” (AV) programmed with biomolecules that can enter human cells and carry out precise human genome modification. The AVs comprise: at least one viral vector, such as bacteriophage T4; at least one therapeutic molecule, such as DNA, RNA, protein and their complex; and a lipid coating. Also described is a method of human genome modification, using such an AV, and a method of program such an AV.

Described herein is a protein display selection method which uncouples a protein of interest (POI) library from the display selection system. Display of the POI can be achieved by forming a covalent bond between the POI and the anchor protein post expression either by enzymatic protein ligation (e.g. SpyLigase, SnoopLigase, sortase, butelase, peptiligase etc.) or by spontaneous covalent bond formation (e.g. SpyTag/SpyCatcher, SnoopTag/SnoopCatcher, etc.). The POI library is fused to a tethering sequence, for example SpyTag, at the C-terminus of the POI which then forms a covalent bond to a capture sequence found on an anchor protein, for example, the SpyCatcher-fused anchor protein, e.g., a SpyCatcher-geneIII protein (SpyCatcher-pIII) fusion, for the most common form of phage display. Nucleic acid constructs, host cell systems and methods of producing the protein display systems are also provided.

The invention relates to a bactericide composition based on bacteriophages for the control of black plague in plants or parts thereof, preferably walnuts, a preparation method and application. The invention provides methods for the isolation, propagation and application of bacteriophages against phytopathogens affecting trees/plants that are of commercial interest for their fruit, flowers etc., for the prevention, treatment or reduction of signs, in particular, for Xanthomonas A. pv juglandis in walnuts.

The present disclosure is directed to materials and methods for reducing heterologous DNA damage in bacteria (i.e., induce resistance to host restriction enzymes) by modifying the heterologous DNA to include one or more deazapurine bases.

Cas12a-inhibiting polypeptides and methods of their use are provided.

The subject matter of the instant invention relates to methods of enhancing harvesting of phages against a targeted host bacteria, as well as methods of identifying phages likely to have an enhanced propensity to infect and kill an infectious pathogenic bacteria in vivo, from samples comprising phages. The invention also relates to phage libraries, pharmaceutical compositions, methods of treatment, and phage-based diagnostic methods and methods of detecting bacteria related thereto.

A method of engineering bacteriophages comprising isolating a bacteriophage; removing all attachment genes from a genome of said bacteriophage; inserting a first unique open reading frame encoding one or more attachment genes and inserting a second unique open reading frame encoding one or more genes useful for overcoming bacterial defenses; and inserting a non-natural attachment gene into said first open reading frame, wherein said non-natural attachment gene is specific for attaching to a selected bacteria.

Described is an “artificial virus” (AV) programmed with biomolecules that can enter human cells and carry out precise human genome modification. The AVs comprise: at least one viral vector, such as bacteriophage T4; at least one therapeutic molecule, such as DNA, RNA, protein and their complex; and a lipid coating. Also described is a method of human genome modification, using such an AV, and a method of program such an AV.