Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 24, 2026

Following Cell-fate in E. coli After Infection by Phage Lambda
Published on: October 14, 2011
Why Be Temperate: Lessons from Bacteriophage λ
1CEFE UMR 5175, CNRS - Université de Montpellier, Université Paul-Valéry Montpellier, EPHE, 1919, route de Mende, 34293 Montpellier Cedex 5, France.
Abstract:
Many pathogens have evolved the ability to induce latent infections of their hosts. The bacteriophage λ is a classical model for exploring the regulation and the evolution of latency. Here, I review recent experimental studies on phage λ that identify specific conditions promoting the evolution of lysogenic life cycles. In addition, I present specific adaptations of phage λ that allow this virus to react plastically to variations in the environment and to reactivate its lytic life cycle. All of these different examples are discussed in the light of evolutionary epidemiology theory to disentangle the different evolutionary forces acting on temperate phages. Understanding phage λ adaptations yield important insights into the evolution of latency in other microbes, including several life-threatening human pathogens.
Related Concept Videos
Viral Replication: Lysogenic Cycle
Lytic Cycle of Bacteriophages
Lysogenic Cycle of Bacteriophages
Viral Replication: Lytic Cycle
DNA Bacteriophages
What are Viruses?

