Synthetic Phage-Like Particles With Multi-Tail Fibers for Multiple Bacteria
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The development of phage-based therapeutics faces challenges related to production and modification of bacteriophages, and there is a need for bacteriophages with a broad or highly specific host range to combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria effectively.
Innovation Solution
Synthetic phage-like particles are developed with a multi-tail fiber system comprising different tail fibers specific for multiple target cells, allowing for extended host range and specificity, which are produced through a cell-free system using bacteriophage-derived nucleic acids and proteins.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If traditional bacteriophage production methods are used, then bacteriophages can be produced, but the production quantities are insufficient for therapeutic use and the host range is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the capsid structure from bacteriophages, retaining only the essential tail fibers and base plate components. This extraction enables production without requiring complete phage assembly, thereby increasing production quantity while simplifying the manufacturing process through cell-free systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the bacteriophage into functional modules: tail fibers with specific binding domains and a base plate structure. This segmentation allows independent production and assembly of components, facilitating increased quantity production and flexible host range adaptation through modular recombination
2Adaptability or versatility
If bacteriophages are modified to expand host range, then more target cells can be infected, but the complexity of modification increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal base plate structure that can accommodate different tail fiber configurations. This universal platform allows a single core design to serve multiple host ranges by simply changing the tail fiber proteins, thereby expanding host range without proportionally increasing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by maintaining a conserved base plate structure while varying only the tail fiber regions. This localized variation approach allows host range expansion through specific protein changes in the tail fibers while keeping the rest of the phage structure constant, simplifying the modification process
3Productivity
If cell-free production systems are used, then production efficiency increases and host cells are not required, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs cell-free production systems where the necessary enzymatic machinery and assembly components are provided in vitro. The phage components self-assemble without requiring living host cells, thereby increasing production efficiency and enabling scalable manufacturing while the system complexity is managed through standardized reagent kits
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The synthetic phage-like particles effectively target and eliminate pathogenic bacteria by binding to specific epitopes, offering a broad host range and high specificity, and can be produced efficiently without the need for host cells, addressing the limitations of traditional bacteriophage production methods.
Implementation Method 1
The synthetic phage-like particles effectively target and eliminate pathogenic bacteria by binding to specific epitopes
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The present invention relates to a synthetic phage-like particle having specificity for at least two different target cells, compositions comprising such phage-like particles, methods for providing as well as their use in medicine, chemistry, biotechnology, agriculture and/or food industry.