Bacteriophages (phages), viruses that target bacteria, are abundant and deadly, shaping microbial communities. Recently, ADA Forsyth scientists studying the oral microbiome found a third player influencing the phage-bacterial arms race: ultrasmall bacterial parasites known as Saccharibacteria or TM7. These findings shed light on the intricate interactions within microbial ecosystems.
Keywords: Bacterophages, microbial ecosystems