Identification of novel antibacteria agents by screening the single-stranded DNA expression library

摘要

A selectively inducible, single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) expression library, a method for constructing a ssDNA expression library, a method for screening ssDNA using the expression library, and a method for identifying ssDNA molecules that switch on or off bacterial gene(s) related to cell growth and toxin production and secretion. The screening library is used to, among other things, identify ODNs effective in stopping bacterial growth, killing bacteria or preventing bacteria from synthesizing and secreting their toxins is the focus of the present invention and/or to discover ODNs effective in eukaryotic (e.g., mammalian) cells for targeted gene down regulation. The library is also useful for identifying ssDNAs or ODNs that are used as therapeutic antibacterial reagents, for identifying essential bacterial genes that can serve as targets for antibiotic discovery, and for providing a method for treatment of bacterial infections.