RNA Seminar: Peter Fineran

Prof Peter Fineran - “The recurring theme of RNA in phage defence and counter-defence”

With more than 10e30 tailed bacteriophages globally, they outnumber bacteria by approximately 10 to 1. The result is an obvious selective pressure for bacteria to acquire resistance to phage attack and for phages to acquire counter-defense mechanisms. Indeed, many mechanisms of phage resistance are known, ranging from bacterial cell surface alterations, through restriction and modification, to abortive infection. In this respect, Peter Fineran’s research focuses on abortive infection and toxin-antitoxin innate immune systems, CRISPR-Cas adaptive immune systems, and phages as antimicrobial agents.

More about Peter Fineran

Peter Fineran is a Professor in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Otago (New Zealand) and leads the Phage-Host Interactions laboratory.

more information on Peter Fineran's work