Recombination-dependent DNA replication in phage T4

Studies in the 1960s implied that bacteriophage T4 tightly couples DNA repl ication to genetic recombination, This contradicted the prevailing wisdom o f the time, which staunchly supported recombination as a simple cut-and-pas te process. More-recent investigations have shown how recombination trigger s DNA synthesis and why the coupling of these two processes is important. R esults from T4 were instrumental in our understanding of many important rep lication and recombination proteins, including the newly recognized replica tion/recombination mediator proteins. Recombination-dependent DNA replicati on is crucial to the T4 life cycle as it is the major mode of DNA replicati on and is also central to the repair of DNA breaks and other damage.