Phages in nature

Phages in nature

January/February 2011 | Martha R.J. Clokie,1,* Andrew D. Millard,2 Andrey V. Letarov1 and Shaun Heaphy1
Bacteriophages, or phages, are the most abundant organisms in the biosphere, infecting bacteria and archaea. They play crucial roles in microbial systems, influencing population dynamics, evolution, and biogeochemical cycles. Phages have been studied for their fundamental contributions to molecular biology, horizontal gene transfer, and therapeutic applications. The article reviews the biology of phages, their distribution, and methods for their enumeration and characterization. It highlights the importance of metagenomics in understanding phage diversity and abundance, particularly in complex environments like the ocean and animal bodies. Case studies on marine cyanophages, animal-associated phages, and archaeal viruses illustrate how phages shape microbial communities and impact host populations. The article also discusses the life cycles of phages, including lytic and lysogenic cycles, and the role of pseudolysogeny. The influence of phages on host populations, such as the co-variation of cyanophage abundance with cyanobacterial diversity, is explored. Finally, the article emphasizes the need for further research to understand the complex interactions between phages and their hosts in various ecosystems.Bacteriophages, or phages, are the most abundant organisms in the biosphere, infecting bacteria and archaea. They play crucial roles in microbial systems, influencing population dynamics, evolution, and biogeochemical cycles. Phages have been studied for their fundamental contributions to molecular biology, horizontal gene transfer, and therapeutic applications. The article reviews the biology of phages, their distribution, and methods for their enumeration and characterization. It highlights the importance of metagenomics in understanding phage diversity and abundance, particularly in complex environments like the ocean and animal bodies. Case studies on marine cyanophages, animal-associated phages, and archaeal viruses illustrate how phages shape microbial communities and impact host populations. The article also discusses the life cycles of phages, including lytic and lysogenic cycles, and the role of pseudolysogeny. The influence of phages on host populations, such as the co-variation of cyanophage abundance with cyanobacterial diversity, is explored. Finally, the article emphasizes the need for further research to understand the complex interactions between phages and their hosts in various ecosystems.
Reach us at info@study.space