Marine Bacteriophage - Marine Phages

Marine Phages

Marine phages, although microscopic and essentially unnoticed by scientists until recently, appear to be the most abundant and diverse form of DNA replicating agent on the planet. There are approximately 4x1030 phage in oceans or 5x107 per millilitre. HTVC010P infects one of the most common marine bacteria, Pelagibacter ubique of the SAR11 clade. They appear to influence biogeochemical cycles globally, provide and regulate microbial biodiversity, cycle carbon through marine food webs, and are essential in preventing bacterial population explosions. Scientists are exploring the potential of marine cyanophages to be used to prevent or reverse eutrophication.