Researchers at McMaster University, in collaboration with Laval University, have developed a new method to store, identify, and share bacteriophages, making these lifesaving viruses more accessible to patients in need.
Published in Nature Communications, the new technique addresses critical barriers in the use of phages for combating antibiotic-resistant infections, promising significant advancements in medical and agricultural applications.
Bacteriophages, or phages, are viruses that naturally destroy bacteria and can be particularly effective when antibiotics fail. However, the lack of a centralized system to store and access these phages, combined with difficult storage requirements, has hindered their widespread use. Phages must typically be kept in liquid form and refrigerated or frozen, complicating their transport and limiting their availability.
“Bacteriophages are often talked about as a beacon of hope, but they are harder to use than traditional antibiotics, because there are so many varieties,” explains lead investigator Zeinab Hosseinidoust, a McMaster chemical engineer and Canada Research Chair in Bacteriophage Bioengineering. “We don’t have a central library of phages to refer to when we need to use them.”
To overcome these challenges, the research team developed a novel dry storage platform. This innovative system stores phages in a solid, pill-like medium that does not require refrigeration and can be easily transported. The medium also includes an agent that produces a visible glow when a phage interacts with a target infection, simplifying the identification process.
The portable testing tray, roughly the size of a paperback book, can hold hundreds or even thousands of phage samples. Users can add a sample of the target bacterium to each well of the pre-loaded tray, with positive results becoming visible within 30 minutes to two hours. This rapid detection system combines a biobank and testing lab in one compact package, making it much easier to match specific infections with the appropriate phages.
“Having quick access to such portable testing labs would bring speed and order to the way things happen today, when a clinic or hospital facing an emergency situation is often forced to send a desperate call-out for candidate phages to test for possible use,” says co-investigator Tohid Didar, a mechanical engineer and Canada Research Chair in NanoBiomaterials.
According to the researchers, the new technology also shows promise beyond medical applications. It can be used in agriculture to control infections in animals and plants, potentially revolutionizing the use of phages in various fields. The research team is currently seeking partners to develop the technology for wide use.
Phages are the most common organisms on Earth and play a crucial role in maintaining microbial balance. Despite their potential, the study and use of phages slowed significantly in the mid-20th century with the rise of antibiotics. However, as antibiotic resistance becomes a growing concern, interest in phages is resurging.
The McMaster researchers, working with Sylvain Moineau at Université Laval and McMaster colleague Carlos Filipe, have demonstrated the effectiveness of their new system in identifying phages for multidrug-resistant clinical isolates of bacteria such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella enterica, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus. The high throughput screening identified target phages within 30 to 120 minutes.
“If everything moves forward to commercial application as we anticipate, this could revolutionize the way we use phages for different purposes,” says Didar.
The researchers believe their system will significantly enhance the accessibility and efficiency of phage therapy, making it a vital tool in the fight against antibiotic-resistant infections. This innovative approach promises to transform how phages are stored, transported, and used, providing a new beacon of hope in modern medicine and beyond.
