Abstract 1358 Biochemical Characterization of a Novel Class of Cyclases and Phage Phosphodiesterases shows their relationship in Phage and Antiphage Defense

The co-evolutionary arms race between bacteriophage and bacteria show the continuously evolving mechanisms between both for survival. Understanding this conflict has led to the rise of biotechnological tools, such as CRISPR-Cas gene editing. Bacteria defend against bacteriophage infection with a mechanism that induces cell death, which halts further infection. This mechanism is countered when the bacteriophage produces proteins preventing cell death from occurring, which allow bacteriophage to continue to replicate for survival, as a form of anti-defense.