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Journal article : Review

Bacterial defences: mechanisms, evolution and antimicrobial resistance

Abstract:

Throughout their evolutionary history, bacteria have faced diverse threats from other microorganisms, including competing bacteria, bacteriophages and predators. In response to these threats, they have evolved sophisticated defence mechanisms that today also protect bacteria against antibiotics and other therapies. In this Review, we explore the protective strategies of bacteria, including the mechanisms, evolution and clinical implications of these ancient defences. We also review the countermeasures that attackers have evolved to overcome bacterial defences. We argue that understanding how bacteria defend themselves in nature is important for the development of new therapies and for minimizing resistance evolution.

Publication status:
Published
Peer review status:
Peer reviewed

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Publisher copy:
10.1038/s41579-023-00877-3

Authors

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Institution:
University of Oxford
Division:
MPLS
Department:
Biology
Research group:
Biochemistry
Role:
Author
ORCID:
0000-0002-9270-7614
More by this author
Role:
Author
ORCID:
0000-0002-2410-212X
More by this author
Role:
Author
ORCID:
0000-0003-1751-4895
More by this author
Institution:
University of Oxford
Division:
MPLS
Department:
Biology
Research group:
Biochemistry
Oxford college:
Magdalen College
Role:
Author
ORCID:
0000-0003-4687-6633


Publisher:
Springer Nature
Journal:
Nature Reviews Microbiology More from this journal
Volume:
21
Issue:
8
Pages:
519–534
Publication date:
2023-04-24
Acceptance date:
2023-02-27
DOI:
EISSN:
1740-1534
ISSN:
1740-1526
Pmid:
37095190


Language:
English
Keywords:
Subjects:
Subtype:
Review
Pubs id:
1339016
Local pid:
pubs:1339016
Deposit date:
2023-05-25
ARK identifier:

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