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Related Concept Videos

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: 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...
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...
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...
Intracellular Movement of Viruses and Bacteria01:10

Intracellular Movement of Viruses and Bacteria

Intracellular bacteria and viruses often comprise a group of highly infectious pathogens that can cause several diseases. Bacterial pathogens include those belonging to the genus Rickettsia responsible for conditions such as rocky mountain spotted fever and the Mediterranean spotted fever; Chlamydia, a genus responsible for a sexually transmitted disease; Coxiella burnetii, an agent responsible for Q fever. Viral pathogens include vaccinia—a poxvirus, and herpes simplex virus—a virus that...

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Updated: Jun 10, 2026

Following Cell-fate in E. coli After Infection by Phage Lambda
06:10

Following Cell-fate in E. coli After Infection by Phage Lambda

Published on: October 14, 2011

Ion-dependent dynamics of DNA ejections for bacteriophage lambda.

David Wu1, David Van Valen, Qicong Hu

  • 1Division of Engineering and Applied Sciences, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, USA.

Biophysical Journal
|August 18, 2010
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Bacteriophage lambda DNA ejection is driven by internal pressure and influenced by ion charge. DNA mobility during ejection is independent of salt concentration, but ion charge is a key control parameter.

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Isolation and Genome Analysis of Single Virions using 'Single Virus Genomics'
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Last Updated: Jun 10, 2026

Following Cell-fate in E. coli After Infection by Phage Lambda
06:10

Following Cell-fate in E. coli After Infection by Phage Lambda

Published on: October 14, 2011

Isolation and Genome Analysis of Single Virions using 'Single Virus Genomics'
08:31

Isolation and Genome Analysis of Single Virions using 'Single Virus Genomics'

Published on: May 26, 2013

Visualizing the Interaction Between the Qdot-labeled Protein and Site-specifically Modified λ DNA at the Single Molecule Level
08:56

Visualizing the Interaction Between the Qdot-labeled Protein and Site-specifically Modified λ DNA at the Single Molecule Level

Published on: July 17, 2018

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Biophysics

Background:

  • Bacteriophage lambda DNA is highly pressurized, with pressure hypothesized to drive DNA ejection.
  • Ions screen DNA charges, influencing the ejection process, but systematic studies are lacking.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Investigate control parameters governing in vitro DNA ejection in bacteriophage lambda.
  • Explore the role of ion concentration and identity in DNA ejection dynamics and forces.

Main Methods:

  • In vitro measurements of DNA ejection dynamics at bulk and single-phage levels.
  • Utilized optical tweezers to confirm DNA looping during ejection.

Main Results:

  • DNA ejection mobility is independent of ionic concentration for a fixed amount of DNA within the capsid.
  • The charge of counterions is identified as a critical control parameter for DNA ejection.
  • Evidence suggests bacteriophage DNA forms loops during the ejection process.

Conclusions:

  • Ion charge, not just concentration, significantly controls bacteriophage DNA ejection.
  • Understanding these forces is crucial for comprehending viral DNA packaging and delivery mechanisms.