Engineered bacteriophages for bacterial control and detection: From genome design to translation.

Abstract

Bacteriophages have gained renewed attention as antibacterial agents because they inhibit bacteria through mechanisms distinct from those of antibiotics. However, the practical use of natural phages remains limited by their narrow host range and reduced activity in complex environments. Although phages are abundant in nature, the isolation and screening of phages with properties suited to specific applications can be time-consuming and labor-intensive. Phage engineering offers a means to overcome these limitations by modifying natural phage properties and introducing defined functions. Advances in genetic technologies have enabled the construction of engineered phages with tailored biological activities. Their host specificity and capacity to deliver genetic material also provide a basis for diverse biomedical applications. This review discusses major phage engineering strategies and their applications in bacterial control and detection. These applications include host-range modification, enhancement of antibacterial activity, suppression of bacterial virulence, programmable delivery of genetic payloads, phage-based nanotechnology, and bacterial detection. By integrating engineering strategies with functional applications, this review examines the development of engineered phages from genetic design and functional validation to clinical translation.