Bacterial multicellular behaviour in antiviral defense

This talk explores how bacteria defend themselves against their most abundant predators and why collaboration is key in this endeavor. Recent studies reveal the complexity of prokaryotic antiviral systems, including multicellular strategies such as the secretion of antiphage molecules and the development of transient phage resistance. Our research focuses on antiphage molecules produced by Streptomyces, including DNA-intercalating anthracyclines and aminoglycoside antibiotics, which block early stages of phage infection. Synthetic co-cultures demonstrate community-level protection. Furthermore, cellular development was shown to play a crucial role in containing the spread of viral infections. These examples, showcase the remarkable diverse antiviral strategies employed by these beautiful bacteria.