Isolation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa lytic bacteriophages from various natural sources

• Grant number: 23/06724-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: June 01, 2023
• End date: May 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Microbiology - Biology and Physiology of Microorganisms
• Principal Investigator: Regina Lúcia Baldini
• Grantee: Giullia Luiza Takahashi Rodrigues
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química (IQ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 21/10577-0 - Biology of Bacteria and Bacteriophages Research Center, AP.CEPID

Abstract

Over the decades, phages have been proved as tools to control bacterial infections. The worldwide emergence of life-threatening infections caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria have led to a renewed interest in antibacterial therapy with phages (phage therapy), combined or not with conventional antibiotic strategies. Several studies have indicated that phages are promising weapons for the elimination of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections. This project aims to isolate phages that infect multidrug-resistant (MDR) or extensively drug-resistant (XDR) P. aeruginosa clinical isolates. These phages which will be characterized regarding their host range, genome sequence and typical phage phenotypes.