bacteriophage
A bacterial virus that utilizes the bacterial host replicative systems for its own replication, after which the host cell is usually destroyed— releasing progeny bacteriophage. Many bacteriophage particles consist of an icosohedral-shaped head that carries the bacteriophage DNA genome. The bacteriophage attaches to its bacterial host by means of a cylindrical tail that then serves as a conduit to inject the DNA into the host through a hollow core.
bacteriophage
^X174 A single-stranded DNA virus that has been used to study the process of DNA replication.
bacteriophage,transducing
A phage that acts as a vector in a gene transfer process by injecting donor bacterial DNA into a recipient on viral infection.
bacteriophage T4
A large DNA virus.
bacteriophage T7
A DNA virus with a very strong promoter that responds to specifi c T7 RNA polymerase. A number of cloning vectors have been constructed so that foreign DNA is situated next to a T7 promoter, so that expression of the gene can be regulated and amplifi ed by addition of T7 RNA polymerase.