Fig. 6. Encapsulation protects oral phage but does not impair function.

Free λ::dCas9^rfp phage in bicarbonate buffer (to ensure survival) or encapsulated λ::dCas9^rfp phage in water were orally administered to mice pre-colonized with E. coli expressing RFP and GFP (a). After oral administration, fecal phage (b), total E. coli (c), and percentage of E. coli lysogenized by phage were quantified (d). Symbols represent individual mice (n = 5) with bars or lines indicating the geometric mean. Ensemble view of relative fluorescence from lysogens shown with in vitro-cultured controls (e). Symbols represent 50 individual colonies per mouse per sample or the maximum discernable colonies (Mouse 1, Day 1 = 5 colonies; M13, D1 = 0; M14, D1 = 8, D6 = 49; M15, D1 = 49; M19, D1 = 0; M20, D1 = 0) with lines indicating the median. Source data are provided as a Source Data file.