Synthetic DNA Phages Allow Precise Gene Editing

University of Pittsburgh

A team led by University of Pittsburgh's Graham Hatfull has developed a method to construct bacteriophages with entirely synthetic genetic material, allowing researchers to add and subtract genes at will. The findings open the field to new pathways for understanding how these bacteria-killing viruses work, and for potential therapy of bacterial infections.

As phages' secrets are revealed, researchers will be able to engineer them with genomes tailor-made to attack specific bacteria, leading to new ways to combat the worsening problem of antibacterial resistance.

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