Exploitation of the genomic double-strand breaks to reduce the reproductive power of microorganisms

TL;DR

This paper explores leveraging the frequent double-strand breaks in prokaryotic genomes to hinder their reproductive capabilities by interfering with DNA repair mechanisms, potentially reducing microbial proliferation.

Contribution

It introduces a novel approach to impair microbial reproduction by exploiting the physical and topological properties of genome breaks to disrupt repair processes.

Findings

Double-strand breaks can be targeted to impair DNA repair in microbes.

Interference with repair processes reduces microbial reproductive efficiency.

Topological effects influence the dynamics of genome repair mechanisms.

Abstract

It is shown how to take advantage of the frequent occurrence of double-strand breaks in the genome of prokaryotic cells, in order to reduce their high efficient reproductive capability. The analysis examines the physical status of the free ends of each break and considers how this status can interfere with an external physical apparatus, with the aim of undermining the repair processes. We indicate the biological consequences of this interaction and we give an approximate evaluation of the topological and dynamical effects that arise on the genomic material involved. The overall result suggests a significant reduction of the dynamics of the repair.