Deep Diving into Cluster D Rhodobacter capsulatus Bacteriophages
Major
Biology
Submission Type
Poster
Area of Study or Work
Biology
Expected Graduation Date
2026
Location
CNS Atrium, Easel 5
Start Date
4-15-2023 9:00 AM
End Date
4-15-2023 10:15 AM
Abstract
Bacteriophages are highly abundant but relatively understudied viruses that infect bacteria. The diversity of different phages on the planet is believed to vastly outnumber that of all other organisms combined. Exploration of this diversity has revealed that a plethora of different clusters of bacteriophages remain undiscovered. This research seeks to provide information about the genetic makeup of phages with a focus on the new Rhodobacter capsulatus phages we discovered: RcGleebus, RcArsenal, RcLawrence, RcMikasa, and RcLalita. At the start of this project, we collected water samples from Illinois and Colorado. From there, we worked towards isolating the DNA of our phages in order to send off the samples for genomic sequencing. Once the genomes were returned to us, we annotated the sequences to determine functions and what makes our phages unique. From our analysis and comparisons of our phage genomes with those already deposited in the National Center for Biotechnology Information database we found that all five phages belong to the RcD cluster. Of all the R. capsulatus phages isolated to date, the majority of them also fall into this group. Still, each of the five newly isolated members of this group are unique. The differences between these isolates and those of the other 23 members of this group will be highlighted. Through understanding these differences between phages, we can gain a better understanding of the various clusters and how they impact the ecosystem.
Deep Diving into Cluster D Rhodobacter capsulatus Bacteriophages
CNS Atrium, Easel 5
Bacteriophages are highly abundant but relatively understudied viruses that infect bacteria. The diversity of different phages on the planet is believed to vastly outnumber that of all other organisms combined. Exploration of this diversity has revealed that a plethora of different clusters of bacteriophages remain undiscovered. This research seeks to provide information about the genetic makeup of phages with a focus on the new Rhodobacter capsulatus phages we discovered: RcGleebus, RcArsenal, RcLawrence, RcMikasa, and RcLalita. At the start of this project, we collected water samples from Illinois and Colorado. From there, we worked towards isolating the DNA of our phages in order to send off the samples for genomic sequencing. Once the genomes were returned to us, we annotated the sequences to determine functions and what makes our phages unique. From our analysis and comparisons of our phage genomes with those already deposited in the National Center for Biotechnology Information database we found that all five phages belong to the RcD cluster. Of all the R. capsulatus phages isolated to date, the majority of them also fall into this group. Still, each of the five newly isolated members of this group are unique. The differences between these isolates and those of the other 23 members of this group will be highlighted. Through understanding these differences between phages, we can gain a better understanding of the various clusters and how they impact the ecosystem.