Module 1, Day 1

M13's Closest Relatives
M13 is a small, filamentous bacteriophage classified under Group II of the DNA viruses. Viruses in this group are characterized by having genomic information stored in a single strand of DNA (ssDNA), and includes the Parvoviridae family. M13 differs from most others in this family in its temperate infection of a host cell that does not result in the immediate lysis and destruction of the host. Amongst its closest evolutionary relatives in this group are fd and f1, differing from each by only a few nucleotides in length, with approx. 3% difference in base pairs.

"BBa_M1307 is not a standard biological part and does not belong in the registry"
Though Bba_M1307 refers to an entire genome and not a traditionally smaller genetic "brick," it can also be argued to be a standard biological part because it has a set function of providing phage coat proteins for other M13 viruses that are taking in plasmid inserts. Thus, while not physically as sound as most parts in the registry, its functional composition seems to pass the test.