A chemical defence for bacteria against phage infection
Just published in Nature (2018) 564:283-286, the Maxwell lab, in collaboration with the Nodwell lab, report the discovery of a chemical anti-phage defence system that is widespread in the bacterial family of Streptomyces. These produce three molecules that insert into DNA which block phage replication. This mechanism of anti-phage defence probably has a major evolutionary role in shaping bacterial communities.