Bacteriophage
Bacteriophages are small viruses that infect bacteria. These viruses consist of an outer protein, a hull, and enclosed genetic material usually consisting of double-strand DNA with 5,000 to 650,000 base pairs. Often, bacteriophages (called "phages" for short) have a tail enabling injection of genetic material into the host bacteria. These microorganisms are found everywhere, with millions in a drop of water.
Bacteriophages play an important part in genetic research due to their use as vectors for introducing DNA into bacteria. When human genetic material is stored in bacteria, it's almost always been put there by bacteriophages. Phage display is used as a screening test for protein interactions, using the same vector technology.
Bacteriophages infect only specific bacteria, so, for research purposes, it is important to coordinate bacteria with their operative bacteriophage. Some bacteriophages are virulent (reproduce uncontrollably upon infecting the bacterium until they lyse, or burst out of the bacterium, killing it), while others either integrate their genetic material into the DNA of the host or establish themselves as intracellular plasmids, becoming copied with each cell division (these are called prophages). Upon the host's stress (usually indicating its impending death), the prophagous bacteriophage grows active again and lyses the cell.
Bacteriophages are being studied for their potential in fighting bacterial infection, with uneven success.
Microbiologist Mark Müller once said, "Bacteria don't die; they just phage away."
Web Resources On Bacteriophage
The Bacteriophage Ecology Group
4 Types of Bacteriophage
Book Resources On BacteriophageThe Bacteriophages by Calendar & Abedon
Bacteriophages: Biology and Applications by Kutter & Sulakvelidze
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