Xuper the Host Hopper
Major
Biology
Submission Type
Poster
Area of Study or Work
Biology
Expected Graduation Date
2023
Location
CNS Atrium, Easel 35
Start Date
4-15-2023 9:00 AM
End Date
4-15-2023 10:15 AM
Abstract
Viruses have many different mechanisms that aid in the infection of their hosts. The blueprints of these mechanisms are encoded in the DNA of the virus’s genome, and often limit the virus to a specific host it can infect. Bacteriophages (phages), are viruses that infect bacteria. They are typically seen to only infect one specific host. Over the last several years, students at Illinois Wesleyan University have amassed a collection of about fifty different bacteriophages capable of infecting the bacterial host Rhodobacter capsulatus. While these phages are all unique, RcXuper has become one of the most interesting phages in our collection due to its ability to jump between bacterial hosts. The aim of this research is to identify the gene or genes that allow RcXuper to jump hosts, using a similar newly-isolated related phage, Aliso, that does not have the same capabilities. This research will contribute to the overall understanding of how viruses evolve and move into new hosts. It may also help identify ways to improve phage therapy, the use of phages to cure bacterial infections in order to prevent further antibiotic resistance (or as an alternative to antibiotics). Since phages tend to be highly specific, they have the potential to only rid a person of certain pathogens, but this high specificity can lead to problems if the bacteria gain resistance to the phage. Ultimately it is hoped that this research contributes to our understanding of the mechanisms through which phages can be genetically modified to control bacterial growth.
Xuper the Host Hopper
CNS Atrium, Easel 35
Viruses have many different mechanisms that aid in the infection of their hosts. The blueprints of these mechanisms are encoded in the DNA of the virus’s genome, and often limit the virus to a specific host it can infect. Bacteriophages (phages), are viruses that infect bacteria. They are typically seen to only infect one specific host. Over the last several years, students at Illinois Wesleyan University have amassed a collection of about fifty different bacteriophages capable of infecting the bacterial host Rhodobacter capsulatus. While these phages are all unique, RcXuper has become one of the most interesting phages in our collection due to its ability to jump between bacterial hosts. The aim of this research is to identify the gene or genes that allow RcXuper to jump hosts, using a similar newly-isolated related phage, Aliso, that does not have the same capabilities. This research will contribute to the overall understanding of how viruses evolve and move into new hosts. It may also help identify ways to improve phage therapy, the use of phages to cure bacterial infections in order to prevent further antibiotic resistance (or as an alternative to antibiotics). Since phages tend to be highly specific, they have the potential to only rid a person of certain pathogens, but this high specificity can lead to problems if the bacteria gain resistance to the phage. Ultimately it is hoped that this research contributes to our understanding of the mechanisms through which phages can be genetically modified to control bacterial growth.