Engineered enzymatically active bacteriophage and methods for dispersing biofilms
AssigneesTrustees of Boston University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
InventorsJames J. Collins, Timothy Kuan-Ta Lu
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Abstract
The present invention is directed to engineered enzymatically active bacteriophages that are both capable of killing the bacteria by lysis and dispersing the bacterial biofilm because they have been also engineered to express biofilm-degrading enzymes, particularly dispersin B (DspB), an enzyme that hydrolyzes β-1,6-N-acetyl-D-glucosamine, a crucial adhesion molecule needed for biofilm formation and integrity in Staphylococcus and E. coli, including E. coli K-12, as well as clinical isolates.
Claims13
An engineered lytic T7 bacteriophage comprising a nucleic acid encoding dispersin B enzyme or an β-1,6-N-acetyl-D-glucosamine degrading enzymatically active fragment thereof operably linked to a strong promoter and further comprising a nucleic acid encoding a gene to enhance or expand infectivity and or replication capacity of the lytic T7 bacteriophage.
A method of dispersing bacterial biofilm comprising administering to a surface infected with biofilm the method comprising administering to the surface an engineered lytic T7 bacteriophage comprising a nucleic acid encoding dispersin B enzyme or an β-1,6-N-acetyl-D-glucosamine degrading enzymatically active fragment thereof operably linked to a strong promoter and further comprising a nucleic acid encoding a gene to enhance or expand infectivity and or replication capacity of the lytic T7 bacteriophage.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.