Factors Affecting Phage–Bacteria Coevolution Dynamics

Bacteriophages (phages) have coevolved with their bacterial hosts for billions of years. With the rise of antibiotic resistance, the significance of using phages in therapy is increasing. Investigating the dynamics of phage evolution can provide valuable insights for pre-adapting phages to more chal...

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Main Authors: Ghadeer Jdeed, Bogdana Kravchuk, Nina V. Tikunova
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-02-01
Series:Viruses
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/17/2/235
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author Ghadeer Jdeed
Bogdana Kravchuk
Nina V. Tikunova
author_facet Ghadeer Jdeed
Bogdana Kravchuk
Nina V. Tikunova
author_sort Ghadeer Jdeed
collection DOAJ
description Bacteriophages (phages) have coevolved with their bacterial hosts for billions of years. With the rise of antibiotic resistance, the significance of using phages in therapy is increasing. Investigating the dynamics of phage evolution can provide valuable insights for pre-adapting phages to more challenging clones of their hosts that may arise during treatment. Two primary models describe interactions in phage–bacteria systems: arms race dynamics and fluctuating selection dynamics. Numerous factors influence which dynamics dominate the interactions between a phage and its host. These dynamics, in turn, affect the coexistence of phages and bacteria, ultimately determining which organism will adapt more effectively to the other, and whether a stable state will be reached. In this review, we summarize key findings from research on phage–bacteria coevolution, focusing on the different concepts that can describe these interactions, the factors that may contribute to the prevalence of one model over others, and the effects of various dynamics on both phages and bacteria.
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spelling doaj-art-901ded04235048aca25b20a2be30e8e62025-08-20T02:45:42ZengMDPI AGViruses1999-49152025-02-0117223510.3390/v17020235Factors Affecting Phage–Bacteria Coevolution DynamicsGhadeer Jdeed0Bogdana Kravchuk1Nina V. Tikunova2Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Prospect Lavrentieva 8, Novosibirsk 630090, RussiaInstitute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Prospect Lavrentieva 8, Novosibirsk 630090, RussiaInstitute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Prospect Lavrentieva 8, Novosibirsk 630090, RussiaBacteriophages (phages) have coevolved with their bacterial hosts for billions of years. With the rise of antibiotic resistance, the significance of using phages in therapy is increasing. Investigating the dynamics of phage evolution can provide valuable insights for pre-adapting phages to more challenging clones of their hosts that may arise during treatment. Two primary models describe interactions in phage–bacteria systems: arms race dynamics and fluctuating selection dynamics. Numerous factors influence which dynamics dominate the interactions between a phage and its host. These dynamics, in turn, affect the coexistence of phages and bacteria, ultimately determining which organism will adapt more effectively to the other, and whether a stable state will be reached. In this review, we summarize key findings from research on phage–bacteria coevolution, focusing on the different concepts that can describe these interactions, the factors that may contribute to the prevalence of one model over others, and the effects of various dynamics on both phages and bacteria.https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/17/2/235coevolutionphage therapyarms race dynamicsfluctuating selection dynamicsphage adaptationhost range expansion
spellingShingle Ghadeer Jdeed
Bogdana Kravchuk
Nina V. Tikunova
Factors Affecting Phage–Bacteria Coevolution Dynamics
Viruses
coevolution
phage therapy
arms race dynamics
fluctuating selection dynamics
phage adaptation
host range expansion
title Factors Affecting Phage–Bacteria Coevolution Dynamics
title_full Factors Affecting Phage–Bacteria Coevolution Dynamics
title_fullStr Factors Affecting Phage–Bacteria Coevolution Dynamics
title_full_unstemmed Factors Affecting Phage–Bacteria Coevolution Dynamics
title_short Factors Affecting Phage–Bacteria Coevolution Dynamics
title_sort factors affecting phage bacteria coevolution dynamics
topic coevolution
phage therapy
arms race dynamics
fluctuating selection dynamics
phage adaptation
host range expansion
url https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/17/2/235
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