Isolation and Characterization of New Bacteriophages for Rhodobacter capsulatus
Submission Type
Event
Expected Graduation Date
2014
Location
Center for Natural Sciences, Illinois Wesleyan University
Start Date
4-12-2014 9:00 AM
End Date
4-12-2014 10:00 AM
Disciplines
Biology
Abstract
Six new bacteriophages that infect the photosynthetic α-proteobacterium Rhodobacter capsulatus were isolated from water samples collected downstream of the Bloomington-Normal Water Reclamation District. These phages were designated Rc-Saxon, Rc-Spartan, Rc-Titan, Rc-Rhea, Rc-Cronus, and Rc-Oceanus. Each phage produced circular plaques with morphologies varying in diameter and opacity. DNA was isolated from these phages using the purified high-titer lysate obtained during the isolation process. The isolated DNA from Rc-Spartan and Rc-Saxon was sent to the University of Pittsburgh, and the DNA from Rc-Titan, Rc-Cronus, Rc-Rhea, and Rc-Oceanus was sent to ACGT, Inc. to be sequenced. Genome sizes were all approximately 40,000 bp. Rc-Spartan and Rc-Cronus have been characterized at the molecular level, and draft genome sequences for the remaining phages are in the process of being assembled for characterization at the molecular level. These sequences will then be compared and examined to determine their phylogenetic relationships.
Isolation and Characterization of New Bacteriophages for Rhodobacter capsulatus
Center for Natural Sciences, Illinois Wesleyan University
Six new bacteriophages that infect the photosynthetic α-proteobacterium Rhodobacter capsulatus were isolated from water samples collected downstream of the Bloomington-Normal Water Reclamation District. These phages were designated Rc-Saxon, Rc-Spartan, Rc-Titan, Rc-Rhea, Rc-Cronus, and Rc-Oceanus. Each phage produced circular plaques with morphologies varying in diameter and opacity. DNA was isolated from these phages using the purified high-titer lysate obtained during the isolation process. The isolated DNA from Rc-Spartan and Rc-Saxon was sent to the University of Pittsburgh, and the DNA from Rc-Titan, Rc-Cronus, Rc-Rhea, and Rc-Oceanus was sent to ACGT, Inc. to be sequenced. Genome sizes were all approximately 40,000 bp. Rc-Spartan and Rc-Cronus have been characterized at the molecular level, and draft genome sequences for the remaining phages are in the process of being assembled for characterization at the molecular level. These sequences will then be compared and examined to determine their phylogenetic relationships.