Bacteriophages, the viruses which infect bacterial cells, were discovered over one hundred years ago in 1915. In recent years, bacteriophages have become important model organisms in molecular biology and genetics, and their application has led to many key breakthrough discoveries. Notably, their use as model organisms led to the understanding of the following:
• DNA is a genetic material
• Viruses can encode enzymes
• Gene expression proceeds through mRNA molecules
• Genetic code is based on nucleotide triplets
• Gene expression can be regulated by transcription antitermination
• Specific genes encode heat shock proteins
• There are specific mechanisms of the regulation of DNA replication initiation based on formation and rearrangements of protein-DNA complexes.
Regulatory processes occurring in bacteriophage-infected cells have been considered as paradigms of the control of developmental pathways.
Nevertheless, our understanding of phage-host interactions is still highly incomplete, and the studies on molecular biology and biotechnology of bacteriophages are still extensive. In the light of increased applications of bacteriophages, from constructing novel tools for genetic engineering and biotechnology, to the use of phages as antimicrobial drugs. Due to the identification of phages as carriers of many dangerous toxins produced in bacterial cells, detailed understanding of specific interactions between bacteriophages and their host cells is crucial. Achieving this knowledge will allow us to construct novel biotechnological tools, and to develop effective drugs and/or therapeutic methods to combat infections caused by bacteria bearing prophages which encode dangerous toxins. Therefore, this Research Topic is devoted to publishing research which investigates various interactions between phages and their host cells.
This Research Topic will disseminate the results of recent studies which help us to understand the regulation of development of bacteriophages in host cells, and mechanisms by which such cells try to defend the infections, and how phages can overcome them. Therefore, we welcome studies on the following areas of research:
• Molecular mechanisms of bacteriophage development
• Control of lytic, lysogenic, and chronic cycles and molecular switches
• Host response to phage infection
• Functions of anti-phage systems
• Regulation of phage gene expression
• Control of phage genome replication
Nevertheless, papers presenting any other aspects of bacteriophage-host interactions will also be considered.
Apart from original papers, review articles are also welcome, and the authors are encouraged to submit manuscripts summarizing current knowledge in the field of phage-host interactions and proposing novel hypotheses or perspectives.
Bacteriophages, the viruses which infect bacterial cells, were discovered over one hundred years ago in 1915. In recent years, bacteriophages have become important model organisms in molecular biology and genetics, and their application has led to many key breakthrough discoveries. Notably, their use as model organisms led to the understanding of the following:
• DNA is a genetic material
• Viruses can encode enzymes
• Gene expression proceeds through mRNA molecules
• Genetic code is based on nucleotide triplets
• Gene expression can be regulated by transcription antitermination
• Specific genes encode heat shock proteins
• There are specific mechanisms of the regulation of DNA replication initiation based on formation and rearrangements of protein-DNA complexes.
Regulatory processes occurring in bacteriophage-infected cells have been considered as paradigms of the control of developmental pathways.
Nevertheless, our understanding of phage-host interactions is still highly incomplete, and the studies on molecular biology and biotechnology of bacteriophages are still extensive. In the light of increased applications of bacteriophages, from constructing novel tools for genetic engineering and biotechnology, to the use of phages as antimicrobial drugs. Due to the identification of phages as carriers of many dangerous toxins produced in bacterial cells, detailed understanding of specific interactions between bacteriophages and their host cells is crucial. Achieving this knowledge will allow us to construct novel biotechnological tools, and to develop effective drugs and/or therapeutic methods to combat infections caused by bacteria bearing prophages which encode dangerous toxins. Therefore, this Research Topic is devoted to publishing research which investigates various interactions between phages and their host cells.
This Research Topic will disseminate the results of recent studies which help us to understand the regulation of development of bacteriophages in host cells, and mechanisms by which such cells try to defend the infections, and how phages can overcome them. Therefore, we welcome studies on the following areas of research:
• Molecular mechanisms of bacteriophage development
• Control of lytic, lysogenic, and chronic cycles and molecular switches
• Host response to phage infection
• Functions of anti-phage systems
• Regulation of phage gene expression
• Control of phage genome replication
Nevertheless, papers presenting any other aspects of bacteriophage-host interactions will also be considered.
Apart from original papers, review articles are also welcome, and the authors are encouraged to submit manuscripts summarizing current knowledge in the field of phage-host interactions and proposing novel hypotheses or perspectives.
