Sequence data derived from the Streptococcus thermophilus phages phi O1205 and phi 7201 indicated that each of these phages contains a distinct DNA region dedicated to replication. Southern blotting experiments showed that phages infecting S. thermophilus may be divided into at least two groups, each containing the presumptive replication functions of either phi O1205 (group I) or phi 7201 (group II). Specific regions from the putative replication module of each of the two phages were examined for their ability to provide phage resistance. (C) 2000 Federation of European Microbiological Societies. Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.