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Reactivation of Ultra-Violet-Inactivated Bacteriophage by Visible Light

Abstract

COLI-BACTERIOPHAGE of the 'T' group1 are inactivated at a logarithmic rate by ultra-violet light. Some of these phages can be reactivated inside bacteria that adsorb more than one inactive phage particle2. I recently observed another type of reactivation of ultra-violet irradiated phage, namely, reactivation upon exposure to visible light in the presence of bacterial cells (photo-reactivation). Since this phenomenon may cause serious misinterpretations of results obtained in working with irradiated phage, it may be useful to report it at this early stage of its investigation.

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References

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DULBECCO, R. Reactivation of Ultra-Violet-Inactivated Bacteriophage by Visible Light. Nature 163, 949–950 (1949). https://doi.org/10.1038/163949b0

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