Viruses of bacteria, known as bacteriophages or phages, were discovered nearly 100 years ago. Their potential as antibacterial agents was appreciated almost immediately, with the first 'phage therapy' ...

For the first time, researchers at the University of Exeter, in collaboration with Massey University and Nanophage Technologies, have mapped out what a commonly-used form of phage looks like. Their ...

The degree to which selfish genetic elements are actually selfish may need a rethink. For decades, it has been assumed that the typical selfish genetic element is a bit of DNA that resides in a host’s ...

Attachment of a bacterial protein to the tips of phage tails produces non-infectious, tailless phages. “Many of these bacterial systems have been shown to be the evolutionary origin of different human ...