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DNA Bacteriophages01:26

DNA Bacteriophages

Bacteriophages, or phages, are viruses that specifically infect bacteria, utilizing their genetic material to hijack host cellular machinery for replication. DNA bacteriophages employ single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) or double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) genomes. These phages exhibit diverse replication strategies and host interactions, influencing their ecological roles and applications in biotechnology and medicine.ssDNA BacteriophagesssDNA phages, with their small genomes, utilize unique strategies to...
Lytic Cycle of Bacteriophages01:30

Lytic Cycle of Bacteriophages

Bacteriophages, also known as phages, are specialized viruses that infect bacteria. A key characteristic of phages is their distinctive “head-tail” morphology. A phage begins the infection process (i.e., lytic cycle) by attaching to the outside of a bacterial cell. Attachment is accomplished via proteins in the phage tail that bind to specific receptor proteins on the outer surface of the bacterium. The tail injects the phage’s DNA genome into the bacterial cytoplasm. In the lytic replication...
Viral Replication: Lysogenic Cycle01:16

Viral Replication: Lysogenic Cycle

The lysogenic cycle is a crucial viral replication strategy that allows bacteriophages to persist within host cells without immediately destroying them. This process is primarily observed in temperate phages, such as bacteriophage lambda (λ), which infects Escherichia coli. The cycle allows the viral genome to persist across bacterial generations while keeping host cells viable.Integration of the Viral GenomeUpon infection, bacteriophage lambda attaches to the bacterial surface and injects its...
Viral Replication: Lytic Cycle01:20

Viral Replication: Lytic Cycle

Bacteriophages, or phages, are viruses that specifically infect bacteria. Among them, T-even bacteriophages, such as T4, exhibit a well-characterized lytic replication cycle in Escherichia coli (E. coli). This process ensures the rapid proliferation of the virus while ultimately leading to the destruction of the bacterial host.Attachment and DNA InjectionThe infection process begins with the recognition and binding of the T4 phage to the E. coli cell surface. Tail fibers of the phage...
Lysogenic Cycle of Bacteriophages00:43

Lysogenic Cycle of Bacteriophages

In contrast to the lytic cycle, phages infecting bacteria via the lysogenic cycle do not immediately kill their host cell. Instead, they combine their genome with the host genome, allowing the bacteria to replicate the phage DNA along with the bacterial genome. The incorporated copy of the phage genome is called the prophage. Some prophages can re-activate and enter the lytic cycle. This often occurs in response to a perturbation, such as DNA damage, but can also transpire in the absence of...
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Bacteriophages are found throughout the human body. They may even outnumber eukaryotic viruses, forming an important and dynamic component of the human virome. Indeed, phages represent the most abundant viral entities, with densities in the gut reaching up to 10⁹ particles per gram of fecal matter, and many belonging to orders such as Caudovirales and Microviridae, while a substantial proportion remains unclassified as viral “dark matter.”Lysogeny and Genetic ExchangeIn the gut, bacteriophages...

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Aseptic Laboratory Techniques: Plating Methods
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Aseptic Laboratory Techniques: Plating Methods

Published on: May 11, 2012

Optimizing bacteriophage plaque fecundity.

Stephen T Abedon1, Rachel R Culler

  • 1Department of Microbiology, The Ohio State University, Mansfield, OH 44906, USA. abedon.1@osu.edu

Journal of Theoretical Biology
|October 9, 2007
PubMed
Summary

Bacteriophages (phages) evolve longer latent periods for greater plaque fecundity, not just plaque size. Optimizing phage reproduction requires balancing infection time with progeny maturation.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Virology

Background:

  • Bacteriophages (phages) form plaques used for isolation and studying bacterial lawn dynamics.
  • Phages in plaques can evolve for faster expansion or increased virion production.
  • Plaque evolution models spatial population growth in environments like soil and tissues.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Examine the evolution of greater plaque fecundity in phages.
  • Investigate trade-offs between phage latent period and burst size.
  • Analyze how latent period affects plaque size versus overall phage reproduction.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of existing plaque expansion models.
  • Mathematical modeling to predict optimal latent periods.

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  • Consideration of phage eclipse period and burst size contributions.

    • Main Results:

    • Latent periods optimizing plaque fecundity are significantly longer than those optimizing plaque size.
    • Optimal latent periods for fecundity increase further if larger burst sizes contribute to plaque size.
    • A method is provided to predict optimal latent periods based on eclipse period and burst size influence.

    Conclusions:

    • Phage evolution favors longer latent periods for maximizing overall progeny production (fecundity).
    • Trade-offs between latent period and burst size critically influence plaque evolution outcomes.
    • Understanding these dynamics aids in predicting phage behavior and optimizing phage-based applications.