Phages: From Biology to Application in Medicine and Biotechnology
A special issue of Microorganisms (ISSN 2076-2607). This special issue belongs to the section "Microbial Biotechnology".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 May 2026 | Viewed by 14
Special Issue Editors
Interests: antimicrobial-resistance; phage therapy; biofilm-associated infections; osteoarticular infections
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
2. Bone Infection Unit, Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust, Stanmore, Middlesex, UK
3. Department of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London, UK
Interests: orthopaedic infections; biofilm infections; outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT); bacteriophage therapy
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The field of bacteriophage research is experiencing a remarkable revival, fueled by both urgent clinical needs in the face of increasing antimicrobial resistance and the rapid expansion of modern biotechnologies. This Special Issue, “Phages: From Biology to Application in Medicine and Biotechnology”, brings together cutting-edge contributions that span fundamental phage biology, innovative technological approaches, and translational applications in medicine and biotechnology.
On the biological front, bacteriophages remain unparalleled models for understanding microbial diversity, host–virus interactions, and evolutionary dynamics. Advances in genomics and structural biology continue to uncover the molecular complexity of phage life cycles, regulation, and adaptation. These insights not only deepen our knowledge of microbial ecosystems but also inspire novel strategies to manipulate phages as tools.
Technological progress has expanded the phage toolbox far beyond classical microbiology. Synthetic biology, nanotechnology, and computational modeling now enable the engineering of phages with enhanced stability, specificity, and functional payloads. Phage-derived proteins, such as lysins and tail fibers, are being repurposed as precision antimicrobials or diagnostic elements, providing scalable solutions to detect and combat pathogens across diverse environments.
As potential therapeutic agents, phages are emerging as promising allies against antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Clinical case reports, compassionate-use programs, and early-stage trials illustrate their potential to complement existing antimicrobial treatment strategies. At the same time, challenges related to regulation, manufacturing, and personalized approaches highlight the need for robust scientific and clinical frameworks. The convergence of biology and technology offers the possibility to overcome these barriers and to establish phage therapy as a sustainable and effective component of modern healthcare.
Overall, this Special Issue emphasizes the versatility and relevance of bacteriophages at the interface of science and application. By bridging biology, technology, and therapy, the collected works underline phages’ transformative potential in addressing some of the most pressing biomedical and biotechnological challenges of our time.
Dr. Novella Cesta
Dr. Antonia Scobie
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- bacteriophages
- phage therapy
- phage technology
- bacteriophages and biocontrol
- lysins
- phage-derived proteins
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