An unbiased mutational screen decodes the molecular basis of phage receptor interactions, identifies key functional regions determining activity and host range, and demonstrates the potential for engineering therapeutic phages.

DNA mimicry Ocr protein, a well-studied T7 phage protein that inhibits host restriction enzymes, can also inhibit host transcription through competing with sigma factors in binding to RNA polymerase.

A bacteriophage remodels the RNA metabolism machinery of a bacterial host to sequentially clear host transcripts and then stabilize the viral RNA.

A bacteriophage tubulin homolog, PhuZ, forms a structure with the biochemical, structural, and functional properties of a simplified, bipolar spindle.

Cryo electron microscopy and structure-based mutagenesis reveal that the bacteriophage BPP-1 contains two of the three major recognized viral folds, one of which exhibits a new topology.

Chronic bacteriophages are induced by the supplement of polysaccharide in the deep-sea Lentisphaerae strains, and these bacteriophages potentially reprogram host polysaccharide metabolism through the auxiliary metabolic genes.

Genetic and molecular analyses identify and characterize an evolutionary battle over lysis timing wherein a bacteriophage delays lysis through lysis inhibition while a defensive phage satellite accelerates lysis.

A compendium of critical genomic numbers for viruses through the lenses of different viral classification systems.

A multi-layered and conserved cell cycle mechanism prevents capsulation, long known as a bacterial virulence determinant, in G1-phase and concurrently licenses bacteriophage-mediated genetic exchange prior to entry into S-phase.

The structure and composition of the elusive vertex complex in Tectiviridae is finally revealed and the newly reported protein conformations help to maintain the capsid architecture.