A once-dismissed group of viruses known as telomere phages is now emerging as a major force in microbial ecosystems, thanks to new research from the Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute. Long considered rare or insignificant, these bacteriophages—or phages—have been found to play a critical role in bacterial behavior and competition.
Led by Professor Trevor Lithgow, head of the Bacterial Cell Biology Lab at Monash University, the team used advanced electron microscopy to reveal that telomere phages are not only common, but capable of arming their bacterial hosts with telocins—molecular weapons used to kill competing bacteria. These tools could potentially help infected bacteria eliminate antibiotic-resistant strains, opening the door to novel antimicrobial strategies.
Though previously overlooked due to assumptions about their rarity, telomere phages replicate in unique ways, using telomere-like structures, and integrate stealthily into bacterial genomes. This ability to remain hidden likely explains why they escaped notice during decades of bacterial genomics research.
“For more than 20 years of intensive bacterial genomics, telomere phages had remained hidden in plain sight. We have missed an entire aspect of biology,” said Professor Lithgow.
The findings not only reshape understanding of bacterial ecosystems but also suggest that telomere phages might be harnessed for medical use, especially in combating antibiotic-resistant infections in hospitals.
