The Isolation and Characterization of Novel Bacteriophages Hosted on Marine Dwelling Bacteria
Major
Sociology
Second Major
Biology
Submission Type
Poster
Area of Study or Work
Biology
Faculty Advisor
Richard Alvey
Location
CNS Atrium
Start Date
4-13-2024 11:15 AM
End Date
4-13-2024 12:30 PM
Abstract
Bacteriophages are viruses that require a compatible bacterial species to host their replication process. Researchers at Illinois Wesleyan University have accumulated a collection of over 50 isolates that are capable of infecting Rhodobacter capsulatus, a freshwater bacterium. A great deal has yet to be uncovered about bacteriophages capable of infecting bacteria that inhabit marine environments. The discovery of multiple novel bacteriophages on each of three marine bacterial hosts related to R. capsulatus: Phaeobacter inhibens, Ruegeria pomeroyi, and Dinoroseobacter shibae, has expanded Illinois Wesleyan’s collection of bacteriophages. Prior to this work, only a handful of such bacteriophages existed in databases worldwide. The environmental samples used for the isolation of these bacteriophages were collected from both coasts of the United States over a span of two years, and a comparative analysis of their host range and adaptability will be presented. Whole genome analyses have been completed to better understand the relationships between these newly discovered bacteriophages, previously reported marine bacteriophages, and the freshwater isolates in Illinois Wesleyan’s collection. New data concerning potential clusters of marine bacteriophages has been generated based on Polymerase Chain Reactions with specifically designed primers. The experimental data collected, in combination with a detailed analysis, adds crucial information for the marine bacteriophage research community. Additionally, these findings can lead to a deeper understanding of bacteriophage host adaptability.
The Isolation and Characterization of Novel Bacteriophages Hosted on Marine Dwelling Bacteria
CNS Atrium
Bacteriophages are viruses that require a compatible bacterial species to host their replication process. Researchers at Illinois Wesleyan University have accumulated a collection of over 50 isolates that are capable of infecting Rhodobacter capsulatus, a freshwater bacterium. A great deal has yet to be uncovered about bacteriophages capable of infecting bacteria that inhabit marine environments. The discovery of multiple novel bacteriophages on each of three marine bacterial hosts related to R. capsulatus: Phaeobacter inhibens, Ruegeria pomeroyi, and Dinoroseobacter shibae, has expanded Illinois Wesleyan’s collection of bacteriophages. Prior to this work, only a handful of such bacteriophages existed in databases worldwide. The environmental samples used for the isolation of these bacteriophages were collected from both coasts of the United States over a span of two years, and a comparative analysis of their host range and adaptability will be presented. Whole genome analyses have been completed to better understand the relationships between these newly discovered bacteriophages, previously reported marine bacteriophages, and the freshwater isolates in Illinois Wesleyan’s collection. New data concerning potential clusters of marine bacteriophages has been generated based on Polymerase Chain Reactions with specifically designed primers. The experimental data collected, in combination with a detailed analysis, adds crucial information for the marine bacteriophage research community. Additionally, these findings can lead to a deeper understanding of bacteriophage host adaptability.