View source for Phage-ligand technology

The '''Phage-ligand technology''' is a technology to detect, bind and remove [[bacteria]] and [[bacterial toxin]]s by using highly specific [[bacteriophage]] derived proteins.<ref>[http://www.hyglos.de/en/technology/technological-background.html Technological background]</ref>

==Origins==
The [[Bacteriophages#Attachment and penetration|host recognition of bacteriophages]] occur via bacteria-binding proteins that have strong binding affinities to specific protein or [[carbohydrate]] structures on the surface of the bacterial host. At the end of the [[Bacteriophages#Replication|infection life cycle]] the bacteria-lysing [[Endolysin]] is synthesized and degrades the bacterial [[peptidoglycan]] [[cell wall]], resulting in [[lysis]] (and therefore killing) of the bacterial cell.

==Applications==
Bacteriophage derived proteins are used for detection and removal of bacteria<ref>Kretzer JW, Lehmann R, Banz M, Kim KP, Korn C. Loessner MJ (2007) Use of high affinity cell wall-binding domains of bacteriophage endolysins for immobilization and separation of bacterial cells. Appl Environ Microbiol 73:1992-2000</ref><ref>Rozand, C., Feng, P. C. H. (2009). Specificity analysis of a novel phage-derived ligand
in an Enzyme-linked fluorescent assay for detection of ''Escherichia coli''
O157:H7. J. food protection 72, 1078-1081.</ref> and bacterial components (especially [[Endotoxins#Endotoxin contamination|endotoxin contaminations]]) in pharmaceutical and biological products, human diagnostics, food,<ref>{{citation|title=Bacteriophages - New Applications in Food Microbiology|journal=BioFood |issue=3 |date=December 2006 |page=2|url=http://www.biomerieux-usa.com/upload/bioFood%20Dec%2006-1.pdf|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111001142032/http://www.biomerieux-usa.com/upload/bioFood%20Dec%2006-1.pdf|archivedate=1 October 2011}}</ref><ref>[http://www.hyglos.de/en/technology/applications.html Applications of the phage-ligand technology (endotoxin detection, endotoxin removal, food safety testing)]</ref> and [[Decolonization (medicine)|decolonization]] of bacteria causing [[nosocomial infections]] (e.g. [[Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus|MRSA]]). 
Protein modifications allow the [[biotechnological]] adaption to specific requirements.

==See also==
* [[Affinity magnetic separation]]

==References==
<references />

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[[Category:Laboratory techniques]]
[[Category:Molecular biology]]