Molecular Pathogens 2024, Vol.15, No.2, 50-60 http://microbescipublisher.com/index.php/mp 55 defense mechanisms and controlling plant pathogens, offering a sustainable alternative to chemical pesticides (Rahman et al., 2018). The use of augmentative biological control (ABC) has also been successful, with microbial agents being released to reduce pests, leading to healthier crops and reduced pesticide residues (Lenteren et al., 2018). 6.2 Medical case studies In the medical field, microbial predators such as Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus have been explored for their potential to combat drug-resistant pathogens. These predatory bacteria can reduce populations of harmful bacteria, including those in biofilms, which are often resistant to conventional antibiotics. The ecological role of these predators extends beyond simple predation, as they can also impact biofilm structures and prey resistance, making them a promising tool in the fight against antimicrobial resistance (Figure 2) (Mookherjee and Jurkevitch, 2021). Mathematical modeling has further supported the potential of these predators in medical applications by predicting their effectiveness in various scenarios, including the removal of prey species and shaping microbial ecosystems (Summers and Kreft, 2022). Figure 2 Host-dependent and host-independent lifecycle of periplasmic Bdellovibrio and like organisms (Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus, Bacteriovorax stolpii, Bacteriovorax sp., Peredibacter starrii, Halobacteriovorax litoralis, Halobacteriovorax marinus, Halobacteriovorax vibrionivorans) (Adopted from Mookherjee and Jurkevitch, 2021) Image capton: The diagram is based on scanning electron micrographs of B. bacteriovorus by several researchers (Adopted from Mookherjee and Jurkevitch, 2021) Mookherjee and Jurkevitch (2021) found that the lifecycle of periplasmic Bdellovibrio and similar organisms involves both host-dependent and host-independent phases. In the host-dependent phase, the swimming predator cells attach to and penetrate prey cells, where they undergo cellular growth, bdelloplast formation, cell septation, and progeny formation. The progeny are then released to continue the cycle. In contrast, during the host-independent phase, the free cells can grow and proliferate without a host, maintaining the population until they encounter new prey. This dual lifestyle allows these organisms to adapt to varying environmental conditions and ensures their survival and propagation through both parasitic and free-living strategies. 6.3 Environmental applications Microbial predators also hold potential for environmental applications, particularly in bioremediation and biosensing. Engineered microbes with microbial biocontainment systems (MBSs) can be deployed in diverse environments to execute biological processes in situ without harming the target system. These systems have been
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