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Bacteriophages in nature: recent advances in research tools and diverse environmental and biotechnological applications

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Abstract

Bacteriophages infect and replicate within bacteria and play a key role in the environment, particularly in microbial ecosystems and bacterial population dynamics. The increasing recognition of their significance stems from their wide array of environmental and biotechnological uses, which encompass the mounting issue of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Beyond their therapeutic potential in combating antibiotic-resistant infections, bacteriophages also find vast applications such as water quality monitoring, bioremediation, and nutrient cycling within environmental sciences. Researchers are actively involved in isolating and characterizing bacteriophages from different natural sources to explore their applications. Gaining insights into key aspects such as the life cycle of bacteriophages, their host range, immune interactions, and physical stability is vital to enhance their application potential. The establishment of diverse phage libraries has become indispensable to facilitate their wide-ranging uses. Consequently, numerous protocols, ranging from traditional to cutting-edge techniques, have been developed for the isolation, detection, purification, and characterization of bacteriophages from diverse environmental sources. This review offers an exploration of tools, delves into the methods of isolation, characterization, and the extensive environmental applications of bacteriophages, particularly in areas like water quality assessment, the food sector, therapeutic interventions, and the phage therapy in various infections and diseases.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Prem Kumar Khosla, Atul Khosla, and Ashish Khosla from Shoolini University, Solan, for providing support and necessary facilities.

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Manuscript preparation and data collection were performed by Monish Bisen, Kusum Kharga, Sakshi Mehta, Nashra Jabi, and Lokender Kumar. The first draft of the manuscript was prepared by Monish Bisen, Kusum Kharga, and Lokender Kumar. Review, formal analysis, supervision, validation, and editing were provided by Lokender Kumar. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Lokender Kumar.

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Bisen, M., Kharga, K., Mehta, S. et al. Bacteriophages in nature: recent advances in research tools and diverse environmental and biotechnological applications. Environ Sci Pollut Res 31, 22199–22242 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-024-32535-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-024-32535-3

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