Modifying Phage for Future Use
Our team utilized commercially available CRISPR plasmids pGRB and pRedCas9 to demonstrate the possibility of modifying phage in the gram-negative model host E. coli. By creating a protocol, we hope other teams can utilize an optimized method for their phage or host to create novel modified phage. Furthermore, our modification of the phage capsid using the SpyTag-SpyCatcher system allows for a broader range of capsid modifications that can be used in other projects. This technique allows for the addition of tracker molecules, adhesion attachments, structural enhancers and a wide variety of other uses that can contribute to future projects that utilize phage. In addition to phage modification, our team optimized environmental phage isolation for plant pathogens, determining the types of agars, nutrient, and filtration techniques for efficient phage isolation.