Novel bacteriophages and their derived proteins for the biocontrol of proteus and pseudomonas biofilms

Increasing resistance to the traditional arsenal of antibiotics is expanding at an alarming rate and novel antimicrobial therapeutics are urgently required to tackle this emerging issue. Proteus mirabilis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa are two bacterial species commonly associated with urinary tract infections in humans.

To contribute to the progression of novel antimicrobials against P. mirabilis and P. aeruginosa, this thesis was based on the isolation and utilisation of bacteriophages and bacteriophage derived products to help treat biofilms caused by both bacteria. The isolation of phage PM-CJR showed promising antimicrobial potential against P. mirabilis due to the production of depolymerase enzymes. The thesis describes the identification and utilisation of both the whole phage and its tail-spike protein with the pectate lyase activity to treat P. mirabilis biofilms.