PHAGE DISPLAY Meaning and
Definition
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Phage display is a technique used in molecular biology and biotechnology for studying protein-protein interactions and identifying target molecules. It involves the use of bacteriophages, which are viruses that infect bacterial cells, as a tool for displaying peptides or proteins on their surface.
The process starts with the construction of a phage display library, which consists of a collection of bacteriophages that each display a different peptide or protein fragment. This library is created by inserting the genetic information encoding the peptides into the bacteriophage's genome. Upon infection of bacterial cells, the phages produce the displayed peptides or proteins on their surface.
Phage display is useful for screening large libraries of peptides or proteins to identify those that bind to specific target molecules. For this purpose, the library is exposed to the target molecule and washed thoroughly to remove nonspecific binders. The phages that have successfully bound to the target are then isolated and the genetic information encoding the binding peptide is recovered and further studied.
This technique has extensive applications in various scientific fields, including protein engineering, drug discovery, and immunology. It enables researchers to identify binding partners for a variety of proteins, including antibodies and receptors, to better understand their function. It also allows the development of novel therapeutics by selecting peptides or proteins that can specifically target and bind to disease-associated molecules.
In summary, phage display is a powerful technique that utilizes bacteriophages to express and present peptides or proteins on their surface for studying protein-protein interactions and identifying target molecules.
Etymology of PHAGE DISPLAY
The word "phage display" originates from the combination of two terms: "phage" and "display".
1. Phage: The term "phage" is short for bacteriophage, which is a type of virus that infects bacteria. It is derived from the Greek word "phagein", meaning "to eat". Bacteriophages are called "phages" because they consume or "eat" bacteria by injecting their genetic material into the bacterial host and replicating inside it.
2. Display: The term "display" refers to the exhibition or presentation of something. It comes from the Old French word "despleier", meaning "to unfold, spread out". The word "display" evolved from the Latin "dis-", which indicates separation or apart, and "plicare", meaning "to fold".
