Bacteriophage Research Using the iEM Platform

Viruses that infect bacteria and archaea (commonly referred to as bacteriophages or phages) profoundly influence ecosystems. A large number of bacteriophages are reported from seawater. The phage communities form a considerable reservoir of uncharacterized genetic diversity, providing a valuable resource to development of modern biotechnology. Cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) is a powerful structural technique developed in recent years to study biological macromolecular complexes. Cryo-EM is characterized by providing relatively high-resolution images and natural conformation analysis without the need for crystallization. This powerful technology has become a convenient and advanced tool for structural analysis of bacteriophages. At Creative Biostructure, we have the most advanced electron microscopy equipment and direct electron detectors. We are committed to assisting researchers gain insight into the ultrastructure of bacteriophages and promoting a variety of research and applications of bacteriophages.

Bacteriophages

Viruses likely help to associate with host metabolism, immunity and among others through regulating the number of bacteria and the strains of bacteria. Although the association between bacteriophages and host systems has been known for decades, only recently the involvement of bacteriophages in host-associated regulation of the microbiome has been appreciated. Particularly, bacteriophages have gained growing attention as an alternative candidate to antibiotics. The bacteriophages have two modes of the life cycle, one involves infection, replication, and lysis of the bacterium, termed as lytic phages; one involves the integration of the virus into the genome of the bacterium in a proviral form, which can be activated to become a lytic virus, termed as temperate phages.

Bacteriophage Research at the iEM Platform

At the iEM Platform, we provide a one-stop solution for bacteriophage structural analysis, including the isolation and purification of bacteriophages, sample preparation for cryo-EM, data acquisition, image processing, and structural analysis. Our high-resolution electron microscopy can offer detailed and valuable information on bacteriophage structures, including the major coat protein and the symmetry of the capsid shell, but not limited to them.

Below are specific services, including,

• Identification of the basic structure of bacteriophages

Our cryo-EM is capable of determining the structure of bacteriophages at a 3-5 Å resolution range. Therefore, we can reveal the ultrastructure of bacteriophages, such as the structure of the major coat protein and assembly of the capsid shell, facilitating the study of key interactions that drive its assembly.

• Structural comparisons with other bacteriophages

Structural comparisons of the major coat proteins of different bacteriophages can improve our understanding of specific bacteriophages and the binding of specific bacteriophages to different bacteria.

Benefits of Our Solutions

• A team of professional scientists and the highest level of instrument technology available in the industry.
• Years of experience in viral research Using EM.
• Customized and flexible solutions to fulfill clients’ project needs.
• The most competitive price and fast turnaround.

If you have questions concerning our services or you"d like to have some more information, you can contact us. We will be delighted to provide you with all the support we can to help establish a sustaining professional partnership.