Selected Poster Presentation – Targeting Phage Therapy 2024

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.

Poster Summaries and Scientific Impacts

1. Development of Phage-based Tool with the Potential to Treat Antibiotic-Resistant Gonorrhea
Magdalena Pelka, University of Warsaw, Poland

The research explores the potential of a phage-based tool to treat antibiotic-resistant Gonorrhea.

Impact: With antibiotic options dwindling, phage therapy offers a critical alternative, addressing the urgent need for new treatments against resistant Gonorrhea.

2. Phage-antibiotic Combination Therapy Against Recurrent Pseudomonas septicaemia in a Patient with an Arterial Stent
Saija Kiljunen, University of Helsinki, Finland

The study examines the efficacy of combining phage therapy with antibiotics to treat recurrent Pseudomonas infections in patients with arterial stents.

Impact: Phage-antibiotic synergy offers a promising approach to overcoming persistent infections, particularly in patients with medical implants, where traditional treatments often fail.

3. Elucidating Key Steps of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Infection by DEV Lytic Phage for Phage Therapy
Jimena Nieto Noblecía, Università Degli Studi Di Milano, Italy

This study focuses on the key steps involved in the infection process of Pseudomonas aeruginosa by a lytic phage.

Impact: Understanding the infection mechanisms of Pseudomonas aeruginosa can improve the design and implementation of phage therapy protocols, crucial for treating this highly resistant pathogen.

4. Phage-Encoded Proteins with Antimicrobial Activity Against Klebsiella pneumoniae
Monika Adamczyk-Popławska, University of Warsaw, Poland

This study investigates phage-encoded proteins with potential antimicrobial properties against *Klebsiella pneumoniae, a common hospital-acquired pathogen.

Impact: The discovery of new antimicrobial proteins could lead to novel treatments, reducing the reliance on traditional antibiotics and combating drug-resistant infections.

5. Flow Cytometry as a Tool for Monitoring the Course of a Staphylococcal Phage Abortive Infection at the Single Cell Level
Lucie Kuntová, Masaryk University, Czech Republic

This research utilizes flow cytometry to study phage infections at the single-cell level, providing detailed insights into the dynamics of staphylococcal infections.

Impact: Advanced monitoring techniques like flow cytometry can enhance our understanding of phage-bacteria interactions, leading to more precise and effective therapeutic strategies.

6. Genomic and Structural Characterization of Novel Macrococcus Siphovirus that will Likely Represent a New Subfamily Within Caudoviricetes
Ivana Maslanova, Masaryk University, Czech Republic

 The poster presents the discovery and characterization of a novel phage, potentially representing a new subfamily within the Caudoviricetes order.

Impact: Expanding our knowledge of phage diversity and genomics can facilitate the development of new phage-based applications in both medical and industrial contexts.

7, Polymicrobial Interactions in Urinary Tract Infections and Their Impact on Phage Therapy
Stéphane Pont, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL), Switzerland

This research investigates if interspecies interactions affect phage efficiency in UTI-mimicking conditions.  

Impact: Using bladder microtissues to identify if phage therapy can be applied upon polymicrobial colonization could foster the clinical use of bacteriophage upon mixed-species infections.

8. Synergistic Action of RCHAPK With Antibiotics Against MRSA and Its Application in an in Vivo Murine Wound Model
Semra Tasdurmazli, Yildiz Technical University, Turkey

This study investigates rCHAPk both its synergistic effect with antibiotics against MRSA and its therapeutic efficiency in a murine wound model.

Impact: Demonstrating synergy between endolysins and antibiotics could lead to new combinatory therapies, as well as emphasizing the therapeutic benefits of phage-derived enzymes may improve treatment outcomes for MRSA infections.

9. Antibacterial Activity of Holin Proteins
Hande Hancer, Yildiz Technical University, Turkey

This poster explores the antibacterial properties of holin proteins, which play a crucial role in the lysis mechanism of bacteriophages.

Impact: Understanding the function of holin proteins can aid in the development of new antibacterial agents, potentially leading to innovative treatments for bacterial infections.

10. Strategy for Purification of the Staphylococcus aureus Bacteriophages
Rostislav Halouzka, MB Pharma, Czech Republic

The research focuses on developing efficient purification methods for bacteriophages targeting Staphylococcus aureus.

Impact: Enhanced purification techniques can improve the efficacy of phage therapy, making it a viable alternative for treating antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections.

11. Characterization and Therapeutic Potential of a Newly Isolated Pseudomonas aeruginosa Phage from Wastewater
Tinatini Tchatchiashvili, Jena University Hospital, Germany

12. Expanding Host Range from Unrelated Phages Using Appelmans Protocol: Interactions and Underlying Genetic Mechanisms
Dongeun Yong, Microbiotix Co., Ltd, South Korea

13. Characterization TP-84 Bacteriophage Endolysin and Its Potential Application in Biotechnology
Piotr Skowron, University of Gdansk, Poland

14. Ex Vivo Pig Lung as a New Cystic Fibrosis Model for the Study of the Phage Therapy Against
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Biofilm Infection

Marco Cafora, University of Milan, Italy