Diversity-generating retroelements enable phages to expand their host range in the human gut.
Patrick de jonge, Michele Zuppi, David Kuida, Max Nieuwdorp, Koen Wortelboer, Anne van den Hurk, Hilde Herrema
The paper tracks phage-host interactions in the human gut and finds that DGR-encoding phages interact with multiple bacterial species and show increased nucleotide diversity in their receptor-binding proteins.
bioRxiv · Oct 31, 2026 · PreprintMicrobiology