Scientists have developed a new method to construct bacteriophages with entirely synthetic genetic material, allowing them to edit genomes gene by gene. 

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh, US, led by Graham Hatfull, developed the method to add and subtract genes from the synthetic genome at will. The findings could open the field to new pathways for understanding how these bacteria-killing viruses work, and for potential therapy of bacterial infections. 

As scientists discover more about phages, researchers will be able to engineer them with genomes tailor-made to attack specific bacteria, leading to new ways to combat the worsening problem of antibacterial resistance.  

“This will speed up discovery,” Hatfull said. “How are the genes regulated? What happens if we remove this one or that one? We don’t have the answers to those questions but now we can ask – and answer – almost any question we have about phages.” 

The team demonstrated the method by reconstructing two naturally occurring phages that attack mycobacterium, including the pathogens responsible for tuberculosis and leprosy. The phages were reconstructed using synthetic material. Scientists then added and removed genes, successfully editing the synthetic genomes of both.   

“And now, the sky’s the limit,” Hatfull added. “You can make any genome you want. You’re only limited by what you can imagine would be useful and interesting to make.” 

Bruno Quinney, Content Team, DDW