Viruses Use Freeloading Genes as Weapons

The results of the study are important as phage viruses emerge as therapeutic tools in the fight against antibiotic resistant bacteria. Since doctors have been deploying “cocktails” of phage to combat infections in this growing crisis, the new information is likely to come into play when multiple phage are implemented. Knowing that certain phage are using selfish genetic elements as weapons against other phage could help researchers understand why certain combinations of phage may not reach their full therapeutic potential.

“The phages in this study can be used to treat patients with bacterial infections associated with cystic fibrosis,” said Biological Sciences Professor Joe Pogliano. “Understanding how they compete with one another will allow us to make better cocktails for phage therapy.”

The authors of the paper are: Erica Birkholz, Chase Morgan, Thomas Laughlin, Rebecca Lau, Amy Prichard, Sahana Rangarajan, Gabrielle Meza, Jina Lee, Emily Armbruster, Sergey Suslov, Kit Pogliano, Justin Meyer, Elizabeth Villa, Kevin Corbett and Joe Pogliano.

The research detailed in the Science The study was funded by an Emerging Pathogens Initiative grant from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the National Institutes of Health (R01-GM129245 and R35 GM144121) and the National Science Foundation (MRI grant NSF DBI 1920374).

Competing interest disclosure: Professors Kit and Joe Pogliano have an equity interest in Linnaeus Bioscience Inc. and receive income.