M13 phage: a versatile building block for a highly specific analysis platform

Abstract

Viruses are changing the biosensing and biomedicine landscape due to their multivalency, orthogonal reactivities, and responsiveness to genetic modifications. As the most extensively studied phage model for constructing a phage display library, M13 phage has received much research attention as building blocks or viral scaffolds for various applications including isolation/separation, sensing/probing, and in vivo imaging. Through genetic engineering and chemical modification, M13 phages can be functionalized into a multifunctional analysis platform with various functional regions conducting their functionality without mutual disturbance. Its unique filamentous morphology and flexibility also promoted the analytical performance in terms of target affinity and signal amplification. In this review, we mainly focused on the application of M13 phage in the analytical field and the benefit it brings. We also introduced several genetic engineering and chemical modification approaches for endowing M13 with various functionalities, and summarized some representative applications using M13 phages to construct isolation sorbents, biosensors, cell imaging probes, and immunoassays. Finally, current issues and challenges remaining in this field were discussed and future perspectives were also proposed.

Genetically engineered bacteriophages as novel nanomaterials: applications beyond antimicrobial agents

“…Especially, the unique advantage of M13 phage over other biomaterials is that it can expose on its surface the ligands such as protein and peptide with binding affinity for target molecules. Their target-binding properties can be easily controlled through genetic or chemical modifications ( Kim et al, 2016 ; Wang et al, 2023 ). Additionally, M13 phage can form a self-assembled structure that is distinguished from the other virus-based material.…”

Optimisation of GraPhage13 macro-dispersibility via understanding the pH-dependent ionisation during self-assembly: towards the manufacture of graphene-based nanodevices

“…25 Furthermore, harnessing the capacity to manipulate the genetic and chemical properties of M13 holds significant potential for altering the characteristics of GPA, such as enhancing its electrical [26][27][28] and binding properties. 22,29,30 These features make GraPhage13 a promising candidate for applications in functional scaffolds, gas filters, energy storage and biological and chemical sensors. 11,15,31,32 It is therefore paramount to establish the pH range in which GO and M13 can form a dispersion that facilitates their aggregation for GPA self-assembly.…”

A modular phage vector platform for targeted photodynamic therapy of Gram-negative bacterial pathogens

“…These vectors may be armed with (triggerable) antimicrobial functions, providing a modular platform for the treatment of difficult-to-treat infections. 9 , 10 …”

“…They can undergo extremely flexible genetic engineering, allowing for a plethora of targeting designs. 9 M13 can provide high avidity for the target due to its multivalent display of specific targeting moieties and a multitude of functionalization sites resulting in a high payload of effectors. 36 In particular, the possibility to conjugate M13 with hundreds of photosensitizers 37 , 38 , 39 makes them interesting vectors for antimicrobial PDT applications ( Figure 1 ).…”