Intriguing arms race between phages and hosts and implications for better anti-infectives.

Phages are viruses of bacteria. The interaction between phages and bacteria shall boost both parties' evolution. During the lengthy coevolution, the host has evolved multiple mechanisms against the phages. The phages also have evolved unique strategies to facilitate their own survival accordingly. This article summarizes the measures and countermeasures employed by the both parties and their implications for better biomedicines.