Phage JS1: The Virus Breaking the Rules

Phage JS1: The Virus Breaking the Rules

From Editors in Conversation by American Society for Microbiology

April 11, 2026 · 41 min · Episode 115

About this episode

This episode discusses the unique characteristics of the bacteriophage JS1 and its implications for understanding bacterial infections.

In this episode, a fascinating new bacteriophage, JS1. While most contractile phages (which inject DNA like a spring-loaded syringe) are rigid and straight, JS1 sports a curved, flexible tail that may help it navigate the complex "canyons and valleys" of the bacterial cell wall. Watch this episode: https://youtu.be/eDGta8xc4_0 Guests: Sabrina Suhani, Ph.D., Graduate Student, Monash University, Australia Trevor Lithgow, Ph.D., Professor, Monash University's Biomedical Discovery Institute. Links: Staphylococcus species infected by a bacteriophage with a tail that is both curved and contractile This episode of Editors in Conversation is brought to you by mBio ® and hosted by mBio Editor in Chief, Marvin Whiteley, Ph.D. Visit journals.asm.org/journal/ mbio to read articles and/or submit a manuscript. Receive up to 50% off fees when you publish in mBio ® or any of the ASM journals by becoming an ASM member. Sign up at asm.org/joinasm .

People in this episode

Host: Marvin Whiteley, Ph.D.

Guests: Sabrina Suhani, Ph.D., Trevor Lithgow, Ph.D.

Topics covered

  • bacteriophage
  • microbiology
  • viral structure
  • bacterial infection
  • phage therapy

Keywords

  • bacteriophage
  • JS1
  • contractile phages
  • bacterial cell wall
  • microbiology

Sponsors

mBio

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Monash University, American Society for Microbiology

More episodes of Editors in Conversation

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Editors in Conversation podcast page.