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Dead or alive, plankton support marine ecosystems

Researchers at Kyoto University found that viral infection enhances plankton cell lysis, increasing dissolved organic carbon production rates by up to 302-fold. This discovery sheds light on the mechanisms behind marine ecosystems and provides valuable insights for understanding material flows within aquatic environments.

SourceKyoto University·JournalMicrobiologyOpen·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 9, 2026

Coinfecting viruses impede each other’s ability to enter cells

Researchers used advanced techniques to study phage infection at the level of individual bacterial cells. They found that coinfecting phages impede each other's entry, perturbing the cell's electrophysiology and affecting the outcome of infection. This discovery opens a new avenue for research in bacterial electrophysiology.

Viruses and game theory

Phages weigh all options and make an informed decision whether to exit the dormant state and attack their bacterial host. The study found that some phage families have developed a complex decision-making strategy, receiving information from neighboring bacteria and controlling communication via arbitrium.

SourceTel-Aviv University·JournalNature Microbiology·DateJan 5, 2022

Zinc finger nuclease, immunoprecipitation methods featured in Cold Spring Harbor Protocols

A protocol for detecting targeted chromosomal deletions induced by zinc finger nucleases allows researchers to estimate the frequency of ZFN-induced genomic deletions using PCR-based methods. Immunoprecipitation is also optimized with detailed instructions for lysis conditions, protease inhibitor cocktails, and general preparation.

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory·JournalCold Spring Harbor Protocols·DateAug 2, 2010