Characterization of bacteriophage receptors in the Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc)

• Author / Creator

  Juárez-Lara, Gerardo R.

• Because of their ability to infect bacterial cells, bacteriophages or phages (viruses
  that infect and kill bacteria) show promise in treating diseases caused by
  multidrug resistant bacteria like the Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc). In order
  to carry out their lifecycle, phages must recognize, adsorb to, and inject their
  genetic material into the host. Host recognition is a crucial stage during phage
  infection and is divided in two main stages: a) reversible binding, characterized by
  low affinity binding of the phage to a secondary receptor in the outermost
  membrane of the host, and b) irreversible binding, characterized by a high affinity
  binding of the phage to its primary receptor. A wide variety of phage receptors
  have been characterized including lipopolysaccharide, pili, flagella, porins,
  capsules, and ligand-gated porins. Two random plasposon insertion libraries were
  screened against a collection of Bcc specific phages. Bacterial mutants resistant to
  phage infection were then isolated and the disrupted genes and proteins involved
  in phage adherence were characterized.

• Subjects / Keywords

  • Burkholderia cepacia complex
  • Bacteriophage therapy
  • Bacteriophage
  • Bacteriophage receptors

• Graduation date

  Spring 2013

• Type of Item

  Thesis

• Degree

  Master of Science

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/R3XP6VB9K

• License

  This thesis is made available by the University of Alberta Libraries with permission of the copyright owner solely for non-commercial purposes. This thesis, or any portion thereof, may not otherwise be copied or reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner, except to the extent permitted by Canadian copyright law.