| Naming Notes | Electron microscopy imaging provided definitive evidence that the isolated phage belongs to the Siphoviridae family, characterized by their non-enveloped, icosahedral heads and long, non-contractile tails. While the accompanying electron micrograph doesn't offer the highest resolution, careful observation reveals subtle yet distinctive tail fibers extending from the distal end of the phage's sheath. These fibers, reminiscent of the landing struts on a lunar module, create a striking visual analogy, with the phage poised as if ready to gently alight. However, the phage's destination is not the lunar surface but the bacterial cell wall of Mycobacterium smegmatis mc^2 155. The phrase "our little phage phriends" is used endearingly to emphasize a personal connection to the discovery and investigation of this novel bacteriophage. |