Current Biology
Published May 9, 2019 | 11:00 EDT (News release from Indiana University)
Researchers report a previously unknown way that bacteria develop new genes to evolve and adapt to threats, insight that could help advance efforts against superbugs. Researchers describe the first known evidence of bacteria stealing genetic material from their worst enemies – bacterial viruses called “phages” – and transforming it to survive. A gene once used by phages as a weapon against bacteria is now used by bacteria to grow and divide correctly.
Canadian co-author: Yves Brun, Université de Montréal – yves.brun@umontreal.ca
