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• Bacterial Immune Systems Repurposed to Explode and Spread Antibiotic Resistance Genes

  Published: Apr 18, 2026

  Section: Health Technology

  Researchers at the John Innes Centre have discovered that bacteria use a hijacked immune system hub called LypABC to release gene-carrying particles. These domesticated viral agent...

• John Innes Centre researchers identify repurposed viral "couriers" that accelerate the spread of antibiotic resistance

  Published: Apr 16, 2026

  Section: Research

  Scientists have discovered that bacteria use domesticated ancient viruses, known as gene transfer agents, to exchange genetic material including antimicrobial resistance genes. The...

• EPFL Study Reveals Vibrio Cholerae Steals Viral Immunity From Dead Bacteria via Horizontal Gene Transfer

  Published: Apr 10, 2026

  Section: Health Technology

  Researchers at EPFL have discovered that Vibrio cholerae can capture "gene cassettes" containing antiviral defenses directly from extracellular DNA in its environment. By utilizing...