Maintenance of restriction-modification system diversity creates pan-immunity
Joseph Westley, Tatiana Dimitriu, Andrew Matthews, Iolanda Lopes Domingues, Mark D. Szczelkun, Edze Rients Westra, Stineke van Houte
The paper shows that diversity in restriction-modification systems is maintained through trade-offs between defense strength and horizontal transferability, and provides collective protection against phages.
bioRxiv · Oct 12, 2026 · PreprintMicrobiology