Characterization of CRISPR-Cas systems in the Ralstonia solanacearum species complex.

Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPRs) are composed of an array of short DNA repeat sequences separated by unique spacer sequences that are flanked by associated (Cas) genes. CRISPR-Cas systems are found in the genomes of several microbes and can act as an adaptive immune mechanism against invading foreign nucleic acids, such as phage genomes. Here, we studied the CRISPR-Cas systems in plant-pathogenic bacteria of the Ralstonia solanacearum species complex (RSSC).

Phages as friends and enemies in food processing.

Phages can infect all bacterial genera on the planet leading to their abundance in ecosystems. While these bacterial viruses may represent a risk to industrial fermentations, they may also be valuable tools to control foodborne pathogens. Here we review these two sides of phage replication.