It is important that the phage is lytic because lytic phage only enter the lytic lifecycle which is the only lifecycle that ends in the death of the bacterial cell. In the context of phage therapy this is the necessary outcome as the goal of phage therapy is to kill bacteria causing infections.
Phage have very narrow “host ranges” which refers to the selection bacteria that they are able to interact with/infect. A phages ability to infect a bacteria cell is dependent upon whether or not it is included in its host range.
What is this significance of the phage being lytic?
It is important that the phage is lytic because lytic phage only enter the lytic lifecycle which is the only lifecycle that ends in the death of the bacterial cell. In the context of phage therapy this is the necessary outcome as the goal of phage therapy is to kill bacteria causing infections.
What are the common characteristics of a phage that would have the ability to infect antibiotic resistant bacteria?
What are the common characteristics of a phage that can infect antibiotic resistant bacteria?
Phage have very narrow “host ranges” which refers to the selection bacteria that they are able to interact with/infect. A phages ability to infect a bacteria cell is dependent upon whether or not it is included in its host range.
What is the difference between a phage being lytic and temperate?
What is the difference between a phage being lytic or temperate?
A lytic phage is only able to enter the lytic lifecycle whereas temperate phage can enter both the lytic and lysogenic life cycle.