# Phage-triggered reverse transcription assembles a toxic repetitive gene from a noncoding RNA

*PRI Rank #14 · Topics and Trends in Most Cited Bacterial Genetics and Biotechnology Papers, Class of 2026*

*Canonical URL: https://pri.pepkio.com/top-papers/bacterial-genetics-and-biotechnology/2026/rank-14*

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Rank | #14 |
| 18m citations | 35 |
| Journal | Science |
| Year | 2024 |
| DOI | 10.1126/science.adq3977 |
| Corresponding authors | Feng Zhang |
| Institution | Howard Hughes Medical Institute, United States |

**Ranking page:** [Topics and Trends in Most Cited Bacterial Genetics and Biotechnology Papers, Class of 2026](https://pri.pepkio.com/top-papers/bacterial-genetics-and-biotechnology/2026)

**Paper link:** [10.1126/science.adq3977](https://doi.org/10.1126/science.adq3977)

## Topics

DRT2 defense system · reverse transcriptase · pseudoknotted noncoding RNA · tandem repeat synthesis · reconstituted promoter · toxic repetitive protein · Abortive infection · Bacterial anti-phage defense systems · Cryo-electron microscopy · biochemical reconstitution · reverse transcription in prokaryotes · antiviral defense mechanism · Noncoding RNA-templated DNA synthesis · template-directed repeat elongation · de novo open reading frame formation · RNA-guided protein synthesis · Bacterial innate immunity · retron-like defense system · Noncoding RNA-templated DNA synthesis · Bacterial anti-phage defense systems

## Cite this ranking

```
Pepkio Research Index (PRI). Topics and Trends in Most Cited Bacterial Genetics and Biotechnology Papers, Class of 2026. https://pri.pepkio.com/top-papers/bacterial-genetics-and-biotechnology/2026. Accessed 2026-10-28.

Zheng Su, Tinsley Li, Thematic Shifts in Early-High-Impact Cancer Genomics and Diagnostics Research: A Bibliometric and Semantic Analysis. bioRxiv 2026.07.04.736459; doi: https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.07.04.736459
```