Rapid assessment of changes in phage bioactivity using dynamic light scattering

Tejas Dharmaraj, Michael J. Kratochvil, Julie D. Pourtois, Qingquan Chen, Maryam Hajfathalian, Aviv Hargil, Yung Hao Lin, Zoe Evans, Agnès Oromí-Bosch, Joel D. Berry, Robert McBride, Naomi L. Haddock, Derek R. Holman, Jonas D. Van Belleghem, Tony H. Chang, Jeremy J. Barr, Rob Lavigne, Sarah C. Heilshorn, Francis G. Blankenberg, Paul L. Bollyky

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Extensive efforts are underway to develop bacteriophages as therapies against antibiotic-resistant bacteria. However, these efforts are confounded by the instability of phage preparations and a lack of suitable tools to assess active phage concentrations over time. In this study, we use dynamic light scattering (DLS) to measure changes in phage physical state in response to environmental factors and time, finding that phages tend to decay and form aggregates and that the degree of aggregation can be used to predict phage bioactivity. We then use DLS to optimize phage storage conditions for phages from human clinical trials, predict bioactivity in 50-y-old archival stocks, and evaluate phage samples for use in a phage therapy/wound infection model. We also provide a web application (Phage-Estimator of Lytic Function) to facilitate DLS studies of phages. We conclude that DLS provides a rapid, convenient, and nondestructive tool for quality control of phage preparations in academic and commercial settings.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article numberpgad406
JournalPNAS Nexus
Volume2
Issue number12
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 1 2023
Externally publishedYes

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General

Keywords

  • aggregation
  • bacteriophage decay
  • bacteriophage therapy
  • dynamic light scattering

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