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Updated: Jul 24, 2025

Author Spotlight: Investigating Bacteriophage-Induced Immune Responses in Gnotobiotic Mice
Published on: January 26, 2024
CRISPR dynamics during the interaction between bacteria and phage in the first year of life
Jiqiu Wu1,2,3, Hanyun Zhang1,4, Rui Gan5
1Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Silwood Park Campus, Ascot, Berkshire SL5 7PY, UK.
Abstract:
Gut microbiomes in infancy have a profound impact on health in adulthood. CRISPRs play an essential role in the interaction between bacteria and phages. However, the dynamics of CRISPRs in gut microbiomes during early life are poorly understood. In this study, using shotgun metagenomic sequencing data from 82 Swedish infants' gut microbiomes, 1882 candidate CRISPRs were identified, and their dynamics were analysed. We found large-scale turnover of CRISPRs and their spacers during the first year of life. As well as changes in relative abundance of the bacteria containing CRISPR, acquisition, loss and mutation of spacers were observed within the same CRISPR array sampled over time. Accordingly, the inferred interaction network of bacteria and phage was distinct at different times. This research underpins CRISPR dynamics and their potential role in the interaction between bacteria and phage in early life.
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