PHOTOSENSITIZATION OF T2 COLIPHAGE WITH TOLUIDINE BLUE

Abstract

A study of the inactivation of T2r+ and T3 coliphages by the photodynamic action of toluidine blue has demonstrated that these phages differ widely in rate of uptake and tenacity of binding of the photosensitizing dye. The reaction of the dye with T2 phage is very slow, has a high temperature coefficient (Ql0=3.8), and illustrates the selective permeability of the T2 phage membrane. The rate of photodynamic inactivation of T2 phage depends greatly upon the state of completion of this dye-virus reaction. The uptake of dye by T3 phage, on the other hand, is very rapid and is readily reversible.