Bacteriophage lambda: the untold story.
The study of bacteriophage lambda has provided key insights into fundamental biological processes. This review recalls some highlights in the history of lambda research, and relates how simple (but elegant) experiments yielded major scientific breakthroughs. What we know about recombination, gene regulation, and protein folding, for example, derives in large part from bacteriophage lambda genetics. Lambda not only represents a model system of scientific logic in a technology-driven age, but continues to reveal new principles of molecular biology.
Gottesman
M
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College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University, 701 West 168th Street, New York NY, 10032, USA. gottesma@cuccfa.ccc.columbia.edu
D001433:Bacteriolysis / Q000235:genetics; D010582:Bacteriophage lambda / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology*; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000235:genetics / Q000821:virology; D015967:Gene Expression Regulation, Viral; D049673:History, 20th Century; D008967:Molecular Biology / Q000266:history; D011485:Protein Binding; D011995:Recombination, Genetic / Q000235:genetics; D017735:Virus Latency / Q000235:genetics