METHODS FOR GENERATING LIBRARIES OF THERAPEUTIC BACTERIOPHAGES HAVING DESIRED SAFETY CHARACTERISTICS AND METHODS FOR LABELING AND MONITORING BACTERIOPHAGES

摘要

The present invention is concerned with genetically labeled bacteriophages, and with methods for preparing and using the same. Genetically labeled phage s may easily be distinguished from non-labeled phages. The present invention also relates to methods for selecting therapeutic bacteriophages lysing pathogenic bacteria without cross-reacting with non-pathogenic bacteria. Thi s method permits the selection of phages which are highly specific to given pathogenic bacteria. The present invention is also concerned with methods fo r evaluating bacteriophage susceptibility to external genetic modifications in order to provide bacteriophages that are safe and highly specific for use in the prevention, treatment and/or control of bacterial infections or contamination in plants, animals, and humans, as well as environmental clean up and sanitation.