Bacteriophage-host interactions leading to genome internalization

► We describe current knowledge on the early steps of infection of bacteria by phages. ► The 3-dimensional structure of phages receptor binding proteins has been solved. ► Phage-host interactions were characterized by cryo-electron tomography of bacteria. ► The dynamics of phage components in bacteria was monitored by fluorescence microscopy. ► These studies have emphasized the link between infection and microbial architecture.