A century of phage research: bacteriophages and the shaping of modern biology

Bioessays. 2015 Jan;37(1):6-9. doi: 10.1002/bies.201400152.

Abstract

2015 marks the centennial of the discovery of bacteriophages, viruses that infect bacteria. Phages have been central to some of biology's most meaningful advances over the past hundred years (shown here); they greatly influence the workings of the biosphere, and are poised to play expanded roles in biomedicine, biotechnology, and ecology.

Keywords: bacteriophage; history of science; model organism; molecular biology; phage group; phage therapy; virology.

Publication types

  • Historical Article
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural

MeSH terms

  • Bacteriophages / physiology*
  • Biology / history*
  • History, 20th Century
  • Research / history*