Abstract
The bactericidal effects of "Virus-like particles" ("ST-VLPs") derived from a sulphur-turf microbial mat consisting of the Aquificales bacterium, were examined using Escherichia coli AB1157 and Bacillus subtilis PS9 as recipients. The recipient population was reduced by up to one order of magnitude with transduction frequencies of between 10-3 and 10-4 per particle. Broad host range and xenotrophic behaviour imply that "ST-VLPs" do not fit the current concept of a "virus" with a narrow host range. Such novel VLPs would control the bacterial population, and genetically enhance biodiversity.
