Bacteriophages

Mixtures of viruses that attack inflammatory bowel disease–causing bacteria in mice also survive the digestive tract and are well-tolerated in humans, a study finds.

In a trio of studies, researchers follow up on a 40-year-old finding that certain bacteriophages replace adenine with so-called diaminopurine, perhaps to avoid host degradation.

The mysterious DNA sequences appear to help bacterial cells spot when they’ve been infected with viruses—and prompt those cells to self-destruct.

Tackling Antibiotic Resistance: Viruses to the Rescue

Roger Hendrix, a microbiologist at the University of Pittsburgh, contributed key insights on bacteriophage structure and evolution.  

Meet some of the people featured in the July/August issue of The Scientist.

Researchers find evidence of antibiotic resistance genes in the DNA of viruses that infect bacteria.

From sequencing bacteriophages to synthesizing bacterial genomes to defining a minimal genome

Anti-CRISPR proteins are prevalent in phage genomes and bacterial mobile genetic elements, researchers show.

Understanding the biological roots of cooperation might help resolve some of the biggest scientific challenges we face.

Phage therapy to combat bacterial infections is garnering attention for the second time in 100 years, but solid clinical support for its widespread use is still lacking.

Meet some of the people featured in the September 2013 issue of The Scientist.