Comprehensive coverage

Bacteriophages

The cover photo on the issue: Cell Host & Microbe This is how the bacteriophages (in purple) affect the function of the bacteria by reversing the DNA - a reversal that changes their effect on the immune system. This effect is demonstrated by changing the color of the bacteria from yellow to green. Illustration credit: Tomm Blum

Gut bacteria are able to change their 'software' in response to inflammation, which may affect the immune system

  • No comments
The intestine is a very dynamic organ that is constantly changing structurally, mechanically and chemically, and the intestinal bacteria are required to cope with this dynamism. One of the features that may help them in this is plasticity - the ability to undergo rapid genomic changes in response to changes in environmental conditions
The image illustrates the complex interactions described in your summary, and shows the complex choices that bacteriophages make between aggression and dormancy within their bacterial hosts, which are influenced by environmental cues and the health of the host. This represents the sophisticated mechanisms at work in bacterial and viral interactions as revealed by the study. Credit: The Science website via DALEE

How do viruses decide whether to stay friendly?

This is how the decision-making mechanism of viruses works
Bacteriophages attack bacteria. Image: depositphotos.com

An innovative therapeutic approach mobilizes viruses to intercept disease-causing gut bacteria

In a study published today in the scientific journal Cell, Weizmann Institute of Science scientists demonstrated an innovative therapeutic approach that performs "targeted defeat" of unwanted intestinal bacteria using a creative and precise weapon - viruses that attack bacteria
A short fragment of the protein envelope of a filamentous bacteriophage M13 virus. Courtesy of the researchers

atoms in motion

  • No comments
Identifying the mobility of atoms in biological and chemical systems may help in deciphering the structure of the envelope that protects the genetic material of certain viruses, something that may, in the future, allow harming their reproduction
Bacteriophages attack bacteria. Illustration: depositphotos.com

The common fight of bacteria and plants against viruses

A defense mechanism discovered in bacteria may make it possible to improve the resistance of agricultural crops to pests
The process of a bacteriophage taking over the genetic material of a bacterium. Prof. Udi Cameron, Tel Aviv University

A mechanism has been revealed by which "good" viruses eliminate "bad" bacteria and stop their culture

  • One response
Researchers from Tel Aviv University discovered a process in which a "good" virus manages to selectively destroy the DNA of the "bad" bacteria, thus stopping the reproduction of the bacteria. The discovery may help in the development of treatments against antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which cause infectious diseases
A bacteriophage (upper right) penetrates a bacterial cell (center of the picture). Bacteria have highly sophisticated immune systems specially prepared to fight viruses

Antivirals discovered in bacteria may be used as drugs for viral diseases

  • 2 תגובות
These days, the ability of these substances to fight viruses that harm humans, including the flu and corona viruses, is being tested
Bacteriophages attack bacteria. Illustration: shutterstock

Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2018 to three researchers for harnessing evolution to develop environmentally friendly catalysts, proteins and antibodies

  • No comments
Bacteriophage simulation. Source: naturalismus.

Researchers have developed a technology that allows the "reprogramming" of bacteria

  • No comments

Know yourself

  • 2 תגובות

How do the bacteria distinguish 'between enemy and lover'?

  • One response
Bacteriophage under the microscope. Photo: shutterstock

dislodge the resistance

  • 7 תגובות
Bacteriophages. Credit: Wikimedia Commons/PLoS One/Vincent Fischetti and Raymond Schuch, The Rockefeller University

Bacteriology - the attack of the phages / Ryan Brendan Burrell

  • 3 תגובות
Transgenic macrophages flock to the tumor tissue after chemotherapy treatment. Photo courtesy of the journal Cancer Research

Add a hit to the medicine

  • No comments
Dr. Adi Stern

My vision is to predict an epidemic before it breaks out, by studying the jumps of viruses from animals to humans

  • 2 תגובות

Vision, determination and a hint of luck

  • 2 תגובות

A new antibiotic detects and treats anthrax

  • No comments

Let the pugs win

  • One response

Will bacteriophages replace antibiotics?

  • No comments
Science website logo
SEARCH