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Predatory mechanisms of Bdellovibrio and like organisms

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Schwudke,  Dominik
Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Max Planck Society;

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Citation

Strauch, E., Schwudke, D., & Linscheid, M. (2007). Predatory mechanisms of Bdellovibrio and like organisms. Future Microbiology, 2(1), 63-73.


Cite as: https://hdl.handle.net/21.11116/0000-0001-0F82-C
Abstract
Bdellovibrio and like organisms (BALOs) are predatory, Gram-negative delta-proteobacteria with a complex developmental lifecycle. In the free-living attack phase they are highly motile and seek out prey bacteria that they invade. The ensuing intracellular growth and replication is characterized by the development of a long filament that septates into individual cells that differentiate further into the flagellated attack-phase bacterium. The prey bacterium is lysed and motile predators are released. BALOs have recently been considered to have potential as living antibiotics. The idea of using predatory bacteria as therapeutic agents to combat pathogenic Gram-negative bacteria is intriguing, as they can prey upon human pathogenic bacteria including Salmonella, Pseudomonas and Escherichia coli. However, our current knowledge of the amazing biology of these prokaryotes that cause the systematic destruction of Gram-negative bacteria is still rather limited. More has to be learned about their predatory lifestyle before their application as therapeutic agents will become feasible.