Tandem mobilization of anti-phage defenses alongside SCCmec cassettes
This study seeks to characterize the anti-phage defenses in staphylococci. Recent years have witnessed an explosion of new anti-phage defenses that have been functionally characterized in a few model organisms, but the defenses in clinically-relevant bacteria such as staphylococci have not been systematically explored. This study seeks to inventory the defenses in staphylococci, specifically those enriched within/near SCCmec cassettes, mobile genetic elements that are notorious for spreading antibiotic resistance. This work will help to inform the development of more effective phage-based therapeutics.