The rising threat of antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections has spurred extensive research into alternative therapeutic strategies. Bacteriophages (phages), viruses that infect bacteria, have emerged as a promising tool in combating resistant pathogens. The recent collection of oral presentations provides a comprehensive overview of the latest advancements in phage therapy and antimicrobial research.
Oral Presentation Summaries and Scientific Impacts
1. Phage Resistance Characterization of a Phage Cocktail Targeting Pseudomonas aeruginosa Associated to Lung Infections
Clara Leandro, Technophage, Portugal
This study characterizes the resistance profiles of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to a specific phage cocktail.
Impact: Aids in optimizing phage cocktail formulations for better clinical outcomes in treating lung infections.
2. Bacteriophage Genome Annotation: Comparing Automatic and Manual Approaches
Antoine Culot, Rime Bioinformatics, France
This presentation compares different methods for annotating bacteriophage genomes.
Impact: Enhances the accuracy and efficiency of genome annotation, which is vital for phage research and therapy development.
3. Nanobiotechnological Engineering of the M13 Bacteriophage for Targeted Photodynamic Cancer Therapy
Alena Kaltenbrunner, University of Bologna, Italy
This research explores the engineering of M13 bacteriophage for use in targeted photodynamic cancer therapy.
Impact: Represents a novel approach to cancer treatment, leveraging phage technology for targeted therapy.
4. High-Throughput Time-resolved Measurement of Phage Infection Cycles in Individual Cells
Somenath Bakshi, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom
This study develops a high-throughput imaging assay to track the steps of infection cycle from individual phages in individual cells of bacteria in timelapse manner.
Impact: This assay enables kinetic profiling of phage-bacteria interactions, which can be used to screen for resistance mechanisms in bacteria towards specific phages or to screen for effective phages to target specific bacteria.
5. Bacteriophage Host Ranges: A Key to the Two Therapy Strategies
Ivan M. Pchelin, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Russia
This study investigates the host ranges of bacteriophages and their implications for therapy strategies.
Impact: Provides insights that can inform the selection and use of phages in therapeutic contexts.
6. The Burden of Resistance: a Comprehensive Analysis of V. harveyi Mutants Resistant to Phages
Stavros Droubogiannis, Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Greece
This study analyzes the resistance mechanisms of V. harveyi mutants to phages.
Impact: Enhances understanding of phage resistance, contributing to better management strategies in marine and medical contexts.
7. Bacteriophage-based Cleaning Approaches to Eradicate Salmonella infantis in Broiler Farms
Sandra Sevilla, Centro de Calidad Avícola y Alimentación Animal de la Comunidad Valenciana, Spain
This research presents phage-based cleaning methods to eliminate Salmonella infantis in poultry farms.
Impact: Offers a sustainable and effective solution for improving biosecurity in the poultry industry.
8. Production of Phage Products for Various Applications
Frenk Smrekar, JAFRAL’s CEO, Slovenia
This presentation discusses the production processes and applications of various phage products.
Impact: Showcases the commercial potential and diverse applications of phage products in medicine and industry.
9. Efficacy of Mycobacteriophage D29 Against Intracellular Mycobacterium smegmatis
Daria Smalchuk, Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute, Spain
This study investigates the effectiveness of Mycobacteriophage D29 in targeting and killing intracellular Mycobacterium smegmatis, a model organism for Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
Impact: This research provides critical insights into the use of phages to target intracellular bacterial pathogens, potentially revolutionizing treatments for diseases like tuberculosis. The ability to effectively target intracellular pathogens represents a significant advancement in phage therapy, addressing a challenging aspect of infectious disease treatment.
10. Neutralizing Antibodies After Nebulized Phage Therapy in Cystic Fibrosis Patients
Marco Pardo-Freire, University of Valencia, Spain
This study examines the production of neutralizing antibodies in cystic fibrosis patients undergoing nebulized phage therapy.
Impact: Understanding immune responses to phage therapy can help optimize treatments, making them safer and more effective for chronic conditions like cystic fibrosis. The ability to nebulize phages for respiratory conditions, and the understanding of the immune response, is highly innovative and holds promise for treating other chronic respiratory infections.
11. Hydrogel Beads for Targeted/Controlled Phage Delivery in the Gastrointestinal Tract
Farzaneh Moghtader, TiPHAGE San.Tic, Turkey
This research presents the development of hydrogel beads designed for targeted and controlled delivery of phages in the gastrointestinal tract.
Impact: Enhances the efficacy and precision of phage therapy for gastrointestinal infections. The innovation of using hydrogel beads for controlled release in the GI tract is a significant advancement, ensuring that phages are delivered effectively to the site of infection, which can improve therapeutic outcomes and reduce side effects.
12. Successful Phage Treatment in a Cystic Fibrosis Patient with Acute Rejection Following Two Bilateral Lung Transplants
Mireia Bernabeu-Gimeno, Universitat De València, Spain
This case study reports the successful use of phage therapy to treat a cystic fibrosis patient experiencing acute rejection after lung transplants.
Impact: Demonstrates the potential of phage therapy in complex clinical scenarios, offering hope for patients with limited treatment options.
13. Bridging to Lung Transplantation: Personalized Phage Therapy for a Cystic Fibrosis Patient Infected with Burkholderia multivorans
Evgenii Rubalskii, Hannover Medical School, Germany
This study explores the use of personalized phage therapy to manage Burkholderia multivorans infection in a cystic fibrosis patient awaiting lung transplantation.
Impact: Highlights the importance of personalized medicine and the role of phage therapy in managing resistant infections pre-transplantation.
14. Bacteriophages as Commercial Tools for the Treatment of Civilization Skin Disorders Like Acne or Eczema
Vendula Ficelová, Aumed, Czech Republic
This study explores the use of bacteriophages in treating common skin disorders such as acne and eczema.
Impact: Offers a novel, natural alternative to traditional treatments for widespread dermatological conditions.
15. Determining the Main Causes of Phage Resistance in Clinical Strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Cindy Fevre, Phaxiam Therapeutics, France
This research identifies the primary mechanisms behind phage resistance in clinical strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Impact: Provides crucial information for developing strategies to overcome phage resistance, improving phage therapy effectiveness.