Bacteria harness viruses to distinguish friend from foe

Bacterial cells that normally colonize our guts can distinguish themselves from other bacterial species using what's traditionally considered their enemy -- a virus. Researchers report that some bacteria use viruses that have infected them (i.e., phages) for self-recognition and thereby show greater fitness, repelling competitors that lack this adaptation.

from All Top News -- ScienceDaily http://bit.ly/2Gfqysg