Vilnius University has been awarded a starting grant from the European Research Council (ERC) to discover the potential role of jumbo phages in biotechnology.
The EUR €1.5m grant will allow Prof. Patrick Pausch from the Life Sciences Centre to explore the class of viruses that infect bacteria, and if they could be used as anti-microbial agents in the future.
The genomes of jumbo phages are typically up to ten times larger than typical viruses, and their diversity has only just been recognised.
As a majority of the genetics of this group of viruses remains unexplored, the JUPITER project endeavours to bridge this gap.
It will allowing the organisation to map the jumbo phage genes and their functions, while also taking inspiration for potential applications in biotechnology.
Prof. Pausch commented: “This grant offers a unique opportunity to push the boundaries of what we know about jumbo phages. I believe it could lead to groundbreaking molecular tools and methods that may be valuable in the world of biotechnology.”
“Phages are remarkably skilled at taking control of bacterial cells. By studying genes we know little about, we hope to discover new mechanisms and functions that could lead to exciting applications in biotechnology.”
[Image credit: Dr. Victor Padilla-Sanchez]
