Really happy to see Julia Lopez-Perez's dissertation work on #phage defense systems in print: mdpi.com/1422-0067/26... 🦠🔬 Check out a novel mechanism for #salmonella plasmid-mediated abortive infection @mdpiopenaccess.bsky.social

The “virosphere” is full of surprises. One of those is a bacteriophage named MINIFLAYER, whose tendrils leave “bite marks” in another bacteriophage named MINDFLAYER. MiniFlayer latches into MindFlayer because the former has no mechanism to reproduce, so it utilizes the latter’s ability.

Pictures Considered #62 : A New Twist on Satellite Phages by Roberto   In the phage universe, there are many examples of so-called satellite phages (or satellite phage-like elements) whose propagation depends on helper phages. Outside the... Read more > tinyurl.com/38sj78fs #MicroSky #phagesky

“MiniFlayer takes advantage of another virus, dubbed MindFlayer, by grabbing onto its neck, and when they enter cells together, MiniFlayer utilizes its companion’s genetic machinery to proliferate.” Scientists have discovered what may be the first ‘vampire’ virus (gift link) 🧪 wapo.st/3R97B0d

Scientists Discover First-Ever Vampire Virus Latched to Neck of 'MindFlayer'

So great to see our recent work featured in This Week in Virology (TWiV) rdcu.be/dpUZc Thanks @jrrmicro.bsky.social for discussing our work and the cool world of phage satellites! #Microsky #Phagesky