T4D-myoviridae
Synopsis of T4D-myoviridae
T4D is a member of the T4-like bacteriophages, a subgroup of the Myoviridae family—viruses that infect and replicate within bacteria. Bacteriophages (or simply “phages”) are among the most abundant and diverse biological entities on Earth, and Myoviridae phages are distinguished by their contractile tails, icosahedral heads, and ability to penetrate bacterial cell walls with mechanical force.
T4D specifically infects Escherichia coli (E. coli), a common bacterial species found in the gut and frequently used in genetic research. Like other T4 phages, T4D has a complex lytic life cycle: it attaches to the host bacterium, injects its DNA, commandeers the host’s cellular machinery to replicate itself, and eventually lyses (bursts) the bacterial cell, releasing progeny phages.
T4D and its relatives have become model systems in molecular biology, especially in the study of DNA replication, transcription, repair, and protein assembly. They were among the first phages to be studied in detail in the mid-20th century and were crucial in shaping our understanding of gene structure, recombination, and molecular genetics. Notably, the discovery of codon usage and the triplet nature of the genetic code were informed by work on T4-like phages.
Medical and Scientific Significance:
T4D and other Myoviridae phages are now being studied for phage therapy, an alternative or adjunct to antibiotics in treating drug-resistant bacterial infections. Their specificity and ability to lyse targeted bacteria make them promising tools in the fight against antibiotic-resistant pathogens.
Because Myoviridae phages do not typically affect human cells, they are considered safe for therapeutic use, although more clinical trials are needed. Researchers are also exploring genetically engineered T4-based phages for targeted drug delivery, cancer therapy, and vaccine delivery platforms.
Historical and Research Context:
T4 phages—including T2, T4, T6, and derivatives like T4D—were extensively studied by genetic pioneers such as Max Delbrück, Salvador Luria, and Alfred Hershey, who helped establish the phage group in the 1940s and 1950s. These studies laid the groundwork for modern molecular biology, with T4 phages used to demonstrate that DNA is the genetic material.
T4D itself represents one of many strains engineered or isolated for laboratory study, valued for its reproducibility, clear life cycle, and well-characterized genetics.
T4D-myoviridae is used for these health conditions
Infection (Scientific)
Infection (bacterial) (Scientific)
Infection (viral) (Scientific)
