Methods for determining bacterial identity and susceptibility or resistance to antibiotic or antimicrobial agents are provided. In one embodiment, the bacteria is cultured in the presence or absence or the antibiotic agent to generate a plurality of primary cultures, which are then cultured in the presence or absence of transforming phages to generate a first secondary culture that comprise transformed bacteria that have been treated with the antibiotic agent and a second secondary culture that comprises transformed bacteria that have not been treated with the antibiotic agent. The recombinant phages are specific to the bacteria and comprise a heterologous marker. The susceptibility or resistance of the bacteria to the antibiotic or antimicrobial agent is determined by comparing a level or activity of the marker in the first and second secondary cultures.

Disclosed here are phage compositions comprising Type I CRISPR-Cas systems and methods of use thereof. In some embodiments, disclosed herein is a nucleic acid sequence comprising (a) a first CRISPR array designed to be operable with a first Type I CRISPR-Cas system, and (b) a second CRISPR array designed to be operable with a second Type I CRISPR-Cas system, wherein the first Type I CRISPR-Cas system and the second Type I CRISPR-Cas system are different Type I CRISPR-Cas systems.

Provided herein are methods and compositions for killing a target bacterium. Also disclosed are engineered bacteriophages.

The present invention relates to compositions comprising and methods of producing genetically engineered bacteriophages, bacteriophage-like particles and non-replicating transduction particles (NRTPs) that contain non-native tail fibers that display altered host specificity and/or reactivity. The present invention also relates to methods of using these bacteriophages and NRTPs for the development of novel diagnostics, therapeutics and/or research reagents for bacteria-related diseases.

The disclosure provides compositions and methods for producing natural products in microorganisms that are otherwise unexpressed, poorly expressed or poorly transcribed. In particular aspects, the disclosure provides compositions and methods for activating a silent gene or gene cluster with a bacteriophage and/or Streptomyces Antibiotic Regulatory Protein (SARP) transcription factor.

Provided herein are methods and compositions for killing a target bacterium. Also disclosed are engineered bacteriophages.

The invention provides a recombinant targeted bacteriophage for expressing a transgene in a target cell transduced with the bacteriophage. The bacteriophage comprises a first nucleic acid sequence encoding a pill capsid minor coat protein that is configured to display a cell-targeting ligand for enabling delivery of the bacteriophage to a target cell, a second nucleic acid sequence encoding at least one pVIII capsid major coat protein that is configured to display a foreign peptide thereon, and a transgene which encodes a protein which exerts a biological effect on the target cell.

Disclosed herein are methods for the production of mutant bacteriophages with altered host range. Additionally, disclosed herein are methods and systems for rapid detection of microorganisms such as Listeria spp. in a sample. A genetically modified bacteriophage is also disclosed which comprises an indicator gene in the late gene region. The specificity of the bacteriophage, such as Listeria-specific bacteriophage, allows detection of a specific microorganism, such as Listeria spp. and an indicator signal may be amplified to optimize assay sensitivity.

Provided is a kit or a system including two elements or components. The first component (i) is a selective component including a nucleic acid sequence and at least one proto-spacer. The second component (ii) includes at least one sensitizing component including at least one cas gene and at least one CRISPR array. At least one spacer of the CRISPR targets a proto-spacer included within a pathogenic gene of a bacterium so as to specifically inactivate said pathogenic gene in said bacterium and wherein at least one spacer of said CRISPR targets a proto-spacer included within said selective component of (i) so as to specifically inactivate said selective component. Further provided is a method using the components or kits of the invention for interference with a horizontal transfer of a pathogenic gene between bacteria and for preventing a pathologic condition in a mammalian subject caused by a bacterial infection.

Provided are nucleic acids that include a promoter, where the promoter is operable in a Bacteroides cell and is operably linked to a heterologous nucleotide sequence of interest. Also provided are nucleic acids that include a promoter (operable in a prokaryotic cell such as a Bacteroides cell) operably linked to a sequence encoding a synthetic ribosomal binding site (RBS). Also provided are fusion proteins (and nucleic acids encoding them) in which a secreted Bacteroides polypeptide is fused to a heterologous polypeptide of interest. Also provided are prokaryotic cells (e.g., E. coli, a Bacteroides cell, and the like) that include one more nucleic acids such as those described above. Also provided are methods of expression in a prokaryotic cell, methods of detectably labeling a Bacteroides cell in an animal's gut, and methods of delivering a protein to an individual's gut.