Elucidation of an oral drug delivery mechanism to the mammalian gastrointestinal tract via an engineered T4 phage

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dc.contributor.authorBaker, Zachary Roberten
dc.contributor.committeechairHsu, Bryanen
dc.contributor.committeememberStevens, Ann M.en
dc.contributor.committeememberCaswell, Clayton Christopheren
dc.contributor.committeememberLi, Liwuen
dc.contributor.departmentBiological Sciencesen
dc.date.accessioned2025-05-14T08:01:07Zen
dc.date.available2025-05-14T08:01:07Zen
dc.date.issued2025-05-13en
dc.description.abstractgeneralCurrent treatments of gastrointestinal (gut) disease are limited by high dosing frequency, patient noncompliance, and complications circumventing the harsh conditions of the upper gastrointestinal tract (e.g. stomach), leading to therapeutic degradation. Bacterial cells were previously explored as vectors for biologic delivery, yet cellular engineering approaches have traditionally lowered fitness and colonization potential of these microbial factories. As a result, recombinant bacteria are often outcompeted by the native gut flora, requiring high concentrations to alleviate disease pathology. These limitations support the need for novel mechanisms of treatment that improve oral delivery compliance and ease of use. Through the research described in this dissertation, we outline the potential to use bacteriophage as an alternative chassis for biologic production and delivery to the gastrointestinal tract, targeting and reducing symptoms of obesity and ulcerative colitis. Elucidation of this system presents a universal platform for the long-term amelioration of gastrointestinal disease through the use of lytic phage particles.en
dc.description.degreeDoctor of Philosophyen
dc.format.mediumETDen
dc.identifier.othervt_gsexam:43391en
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10919/132452en
dc.language.isoenen
dc.publisherVirginia Techen
dc.rightsCreative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 Internationalen
dc.rights.urihttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/en
dc.subjectBacteriophageen
dc.subjectIntestinal microbiomeen
dc.subjectDrug deliveryen
dc.subjectPhage engineeringen
dc.subjectObesityen
dc.subjectInflammatory Bowel Diseaseen
dc.titleElucidation of an oral drug delivery mechanism to the mammalian gastrointestinal tract via an engineered T4 phageen
dc.typeDissertationen
thesis.degree.disciplineBiological Sciencesen
thesis.degree.grantorVirginia Polytechnic Institute and State Universityen
thesis.degree.leveldoctoralen
thesis.degree.nameDoctor of Philosophyen

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