Tuning bacteriophage host range

Abstract

Various aspects and embodiments of the invention are directed to high-throughput phage-engineering methods and recombinant bacteriophages with tunable host ranges for controlling phage specificity.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 - 27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . A composition comprising viable recombinant bacteriophages that each comprise
 (a) a capsid head consisting of proteins encoded by genes of one species of bacteriophage; and   (b) a heterologous tail consisting of proteins encoded by genes of another species of bacteriophage,   wherein the species of bacteriophage of (a) is different from the species of bacteriophage of (b), and the composition comprises viable recombinant bacteriophages comprising heterologous tails from at least two different species of bacteriophages.   
     
     
         29 . The composition of  claim 28 , wherein the capsid head consists of proteins encoded by genes of a bacteriophage selected from the group consisting of: Myoviridae, Siphoviridae, Podoviridae, Tectiviridae, Corticoviridae, Lipothrixviridae, Plasmaviridae, Rudiviridae, Fuselloviridae, Inoviridae, Microviridae, Leviviridae, Cystoviridae, Ampullaviridae, Bicaudaviridae, Clavaviridae, Globuloviridae and Guttavirus. 
     
     
         30 . The composition of  claim 28 , wherein the heterologous tail consists of proteins encoded by genes of a bacteriophage selected from the group consisting of: Myoviridae, Siphoviridae, Podoviridae, Tectiviridae, Corticoviridae, Lipothrixviridae, Plasmaviridae, Rudiviridae, Fuselloviridae, Inoviridae, Microviridae, Leviviridae, Cystoviridae, Ampullaviridae, Bicaudaviridae, Clavaviridae, Globuloviridae and Guttavirus. 
     
     
         31 . The composition of  claim 28 , wherein the bacteriophage of (a) is a T3 bacteriophage, T4 bacteriophage, T5 bacteriophage, T7 bacteriophage, K1F bacteriophage, K11 bacteriophage, YppR bacteriophage or a SP6 bacteriophage. 
     
     
         32 . The composition of  claim 28 , wherein the bacteriophage of (b) is a T3 bacteriophage, T4 bacteriophage, T5 bacteriophage, T7 bacteriophage, K1F bacteriophage, K11 bacteriophage, YppR bacteriophage or SP6 bacteriophage. 
     
     
         33 . The composition of  claim 32 , wherein the capsid head consists of proteins encoded by genes of a T7 bacteriophage. 
     
     
         34 . The composition of  claim 32 , wherein the capsid head consists of proteins encoded by genes of a K11 bacteriophage. 
     
     
         35 . The composition of  claim 28 , wherein the heterologous tail comprises host recognition elements. 
     
     
         36 . The composition of  claim 35 , wherein the host recognition elements comprise tail fibers or tail spikes. 
     
     
         37 . The composition of  claim 28 , wherein the heterologous tail comprises a portal complex through which the heterologous tail attaches to the capsid head. 
     
     
         38 . The composition of  claim 28 , wherein the composition comprises viable recombinant bacteriophages comprising heterologous tails from at least three different species of bacteriophages. 
     
     
         39 . The composition of  claim 28 , further comprising a pharmaceutical carrier and/or excipient.