Abstract
Derivatives of bacteriophages λ and M13 are in common use as vectors in recombinant DNA research1–5. These laboratory-derived phages have been designed to allow cloning of DNA fragments, but to be unable to survive outside a defined laboratory and/or host-cell environment. To assess the availability of wild-type λ or M13 phages in the environment which might potentially rescue debilitated derivative phages, we have now examined the frequency of these and other bacteriophages in human and animal faeces. We detected coliphage in over two-thirds of the faecal samples. Of these, 1.2% of the samples contained λ-like phage and 3.5% had phage indistinguishable from M13.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Blattner, F. R. et al. Science 196, 161–169 (1977).
Leder, P., Tiemeier, D. & Enquist, L. Science 196, 175–177 (1977).
Enquist, L., Tiemeier, D., Leder, P., Weisberg, R. & Steinberg, N. Nature 259, 596–598 (1976).
Thomas, M., Cameron, J. R. & Davis, R. W. Proc. natn. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 71, 4579–4583 (1974).
Messing, J., Gronenborn, B., Muller-Hill, B. & Hofschneider, P. H. Proc. natn. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 74, 3642–3646 (1977).
Lederberg, E. M. Genetics 36, 560 (1951).
Department of Health, Education and Welfare NIH Federal Register 43, 33042–33178 (1978).
Hofschneider, P. H. Z. Naturforsch. 18B, 203–205 (1963).
Dhillon, T.S., Chan, Y.S., Sun, S.M. & Chau, W.S. Appl. Microbiol. 20, 187–191 (1970).
Benton, W. D. & Davis, R. W. Science 196, 180–182 (1977).
Kleckner, N., Barker, D.F., Ross, D.G. & Botstein, D. Genetics 90, 427–450 (1978).
Rigby, P. W.J., Dieckman, M., Rhodes, C. & Berg, P. J. molec. Biol. 113, 237–251 (1977).
Jacob, F. & Wollman, E. L. Annls Inst. Pasteur 91, 486–510 (1956).
Matsushiro, A. Virology 19, 475–482 (1963).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Schluederberg, S., Marshall, B., Tachibana, C. et al. Recovery frequency of phages λ and M13 from human and animal faeces. Nature 283, 792–794 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1038/283792a0
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/283792a0
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.
