Illuminating the highly dynamic on-cell target search of bacteriophage and phage-like particles

Phages are nanomachines composed of a protein coat encapsulating a genome. Since they are metabolically inert, they depend on a bacterial host for replication. They are abundantly present in all kinds of environments, patiently awaiting their target. The nanoscopic mechanical details of how phages or phage-like particles find the correct target...