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Lytic Cycle of Bacteriophages

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...

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Reuse, Repurpose, and Recycle: Bacteriophages and Microbial Surveillance (1921-2023).

Claas Kirchhelle¹, Miriam F Lipton^2,3, Tristan M Nolan^4,5

¹School of History, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.

PHAGE (New Rochelle, N.Y.)

|March 21, 2025

Summary

Bacteriophages, or phages, have a long history of use in bacterial diagnostics and microbial surveillance. Their reuse and repurposing across different technological platforms highlight innovation drivers in biomedical research.

Keywords:

innovation microbial infrastructures microbial surveillance phage diagnostics phage-typing technological recycling

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Published on: May 8, 2013

Area of Science:

Microbiology
Bacteriophage research
Medical diagnostics

Background:

Historically, bacteriophages (phages) have been crucial yet overlooked tools for bacterial diagnostics and microbial typing.
Phage-typing infrastructures played a significant role in global microbial exchange networks, often benefiting high-income nations.

Purpose of the Study:

To reconstruct the history and evolution of bacteriophages in microbial surveillance.
To analyze the repurposing of phages from phenotypic diagnostics to molecular and genomic platforms.
To examine the current revival of phages as environmental surveillance tools in diverse economic contexts.

Main Methods:

Historical reconstruction of bacteriophage applications.
Analysis of phage-typing infrastructures and international networks.
Examination of phage repurposing across phenotypic, molecular, and genomic platforms.

Main Results:

Bacteriophages have been continuously repurposed, demonstrating technological recycling and reuse.
Phage applications evolved from phenotypic diagnostics to integration within molecular and genomic research.
Current revival of phages for environmental surveillance occurs in both high- and low-income settings.

Conclusions:

The reuse of bacteriophages drives innovation in biomedical research, challenging narrow definitions of innovation.
Attention must be paid to power dynamics within global microbial infrastructures.
Connecting the historical and modern uses of phages provides insights into their diagnostic and surveillance potential.