Bacteriophages have been found to have numerous applications in medica...
A bacteriophage is a type of virus that infects bacteria. The word "bacteriophage" literally means "bacteria eater," because bacteriophages destroy their host cells. All bacteriophages are composed of a nucleic acid molecule that is surrounded by a protein structure. A bacteriophage attaches itself to a susceptible bacterium and infects the host cell. Hence option (c) is the correct answer.
Following infection, the bacteriophage hijacks the bacterium's cellular machinery to prevent it from producing bacterial components and instead forces the cell to produce viral components. Eventually, new bacteriophages assemble and burst out of the bacterium in a process called lysis. Bacteriophages occasionally remove a portion of their host cells' bacterial DNA during the infection process and then transfer this DNA into the genome of new host cells. This process is known as transduction.
Since their discovery, bacteriophages have been considered to be potential antibacterial therapeutics for the treatment of various infectious diseases in humans. In recent times, the rapid rise of multi-drug resistant bacteria worldwide has led to a renewed interest in phage therapy as a possible alternative to antibiotics or, at least, a supplementary approach for the treatment of some bacterial infections. Furthermore, bacteriophage-based vaccination is emerging as one of the most promising preventive strategies.
Bacteriophages have been found to have numerous applications in medica...
Bacteriophages in medical biotechnology
Overview:
Bacteriophages are viruses that infect and replicate within bacteria. They have several applications in medical biotechnology due to their ability to target specific bacterial strains.
Targeted bacterial infections:
Bacteriophages can be used to target and kill specific bacteria, making them a potential alternative to antibiotics for treating bacterial infections. This targeted approach can help minimize damage to beneficial bacteria in the body.
Phage therapy:
Phage therapy involves using bacteriophages to treat bacterial infections in humans. These viruses can be genetically engineered to enhance their ability to target and destroy harmful bacteria, offering a potential personalized treatment option for patients.
Antibiotic resistance:
With the rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, bacteriophages offer a promising solution for combating these challenging infections. Phage therapy can be tailored to target specific antibiotic-resistant strains, providing a valuable tool in the fight against drug-resistant bacteria.
Biocontrol agents:
Bacteriophages can also be used as biocontrol agents to prevent bacterial contamination in various settings, such as food production, healthcare facilities, and industrial processes. Their ability to specifically target harmful bacteria makes them an effective tool for controlling bacterial populations.
Diagnostic tools:
Bacteriophages can be used in diagnostic tests to detect the presence of specific bacterial strains. By utilizing phages that only infect certain bacteria, researchers can develop rapid and accurate diagnostic assays for identifying bacterial infections.
In conclusion, bacteriophages have diverse applications in medical biotechnology, from targeted bacterial treatments to biocontrol agents and diagnostic tools. Their ability to specifically infect and replicate within bacteria makes them valuable tools for combating bacterial infections and antibiotic resistance.
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