| Description |
Plant diseases caused by bacterial pathogens pose significant economic challenges globally, necessitating the exploration of alternative methods for controlling bacterial infections in plants. Tailocins, virus-like weapons produced by bacteria, have emerged as potent antibacterial agents and hold potential for modifying plant microbiomes. This research investigates the genetic specificity and host interactions of tailocins, aiming to understand their killing ranges and mechanisms. Using the plant model species Arabidopsis thaliana and its associated bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas syringae, we isolate and induce tailocins to perform killing assays, exploring their specificity on bacterial targets. The findings contribute to the development of precision antibacterial agents with potential therapeutic applications, paving the way for innovative strategies to control bacterial plant pathogens and mitigate biodiversity loss caused by invasive pathogenic species. |
