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Related Concept Videos

DNA Bacteriophages01:26

DNA Bacteriophages

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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...
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Viral Replication: Lysogenic Cycle01:16

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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...
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Lytic Cycle of Bacteriophages01:30

Lytic Cycle of Bacteriophages

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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...
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Lysogenic Cycle of Bacteriophages00:43

Lysogenic Cycle of Bacteriophages

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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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Viral Replication: Lytic Cycle01:20

Viral Replication: Lytic Cycle

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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...
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Transduction01:16

Transduction

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Among the three main modes of HGT—transformation, conjugation, and transduction—transduction is unique in that it is mediated by bacteriophages, or bacterial viruses.Transduction occurs in two ways. Generalized transduction occurs during the lytic cycle of a bacteriophage infection. In this process, bacteriophages infect bacterial cells, replicate within them, and ultimately cause cell lysis, releasing newly assembled virions. Occasionally, random fragments of the bacterial genome...
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Updated: Apr 16, 2026

Following Cell-fate in E. coli After Infection by Phage Lambda
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Bacteriophage lambda: Early pioneer and still relevant.

Sherwood R Casjens1, Roger W Hendrix2

  • 1Division of Microbiology and Immunology, Pathology Department, University of Utah School of Medicine, Emma Eccles Jones Medical Research Building, 15 North Medical Drive East, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA; Biology Department, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA.

Virology
|March 7, 2015
PubMed
Summary

Bacteriophage lambda research advanced gene control, DNA virus assembly, and lysogeny. Ongoing studies of this DNA virus continue to reveal new molecular biology insights.

Keywords:
BacteriophageLambdaLambdoid phages

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Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics
  • Virology

Background:

  • Bacteriophage lambda research (mid-1950s-mid-1980s) was pivotal for understanding gene expression, DNA virus assembly, and lysogeny.
  • The development of molecular cloning techniques, largely by lambda researchers, facilitated broader biological system studies.

Observation:

  • Despite researchers shifting focus, continuous study of bacteriophage lambda and related viruses yields significant new molecular biology insights.
  • This review covers early historical context and recent advancements in understanding lambda's life cycle.

Findings:

  • The golden age of bacteriophage lambda research established foundational knowledge in gene regulation and viral mechanisms.
  • Recent studies continue to expand our understanding of the intricate molecular biology governing lambda's life cycle.

Implications:

  • The foundational research on bacteriophage lambda has broad implications for genetic engineering and understanding viral pathogenesis.
  • Continued investigation into bacteriophage lambda promises further discoveries in molecular genetics and virology.