Genetically engineered phage fibers and coatings for antibacterial applications

Multifunctionality can be imparted to protein-based fibers and coatings via either synthetic or biological approaches. Here, we demonstrate potent antimicrobial functionality of genetically engineered, phage-based fibers and fiber coatings, processed at room temperature. Facile genetic engineering of the M13 virus (bacteriophage) genome leverages the well-known antibacterial properties of silver ions to kill bacteria. Predominant expression of negatively-charged glutamic acid (E3) peptides on the pVIII major coat proteins of M13 bacteriophage (or phage) enables solution-based, electrostatic binding of silver ions and subsequent reduction to metallic silver along the phage length. Antibacterial fibers of micrometer-scale diameters are constructed from such E3-modified phage, via wet-spinning and glutaraldehyde-crosslinking of the E3-modified phage. Silverization of the free-standing fibers is confirmed via energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and inductively-coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES), showing -0.61,pg/cm of silver on E3-Ag fibers. This degree of silverization is threefold greater than that attainable for the unmodified M13-Ag fibers. Conferred bactericidal functionality is determined via live-dead staining and a modified disk-diffusion (Kirby-Bauer) measure of zone of inhibition (Zol) against Staphylococcus epidermidis and Escherichia coli bacterial strains. Live-dead staining and Zol distance measurements indicate increased bactericidal activity in the genetically engineered virus fibers attached to silver.

Department dc:contributor.department

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Materials Science and Engineering.

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2009

Author dc:creator

• Mao, Joan Y

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Krystyn J. van Vliet and Angela M. Belcher.

• Materials Science and Engineering.

Statement dc:rights

• M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/53247

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/53247