Lysogen

A lysogen or lysogenic phage is a phage that does not go into a lytic cycle but instead either integrates into the host bacteria's chromosome or "lives" as a stable plasmid within the host cell. In order to maintain the stability, the cI gene codes for repression of the lytic action, inhibiting the expression of genes that code for phage replication. Currently, a variety of studies are being conducted to see whether other genes are active during lysogeny. Some examples include: phage-encoded tRNA, virulence genes, along with others.

Alternatively, a lysogen is a bacteria strain that carries a prophage.

Types

 * lambda phage