The Genomic Analysis and Characterization of Novel Marine Bacteriophages
Major
Biology
Second Major
Sociology
Submission Type
Poster
Area of Study or Work
Biology
Faculty Advisor
Richard Alvey
Location
CNS Atrium
Start Date
4-12-2025 8:30 AM
End Date
4-12-2025 9:30 AM
Abstract
Bacteriophages are viruses that require compatible bacterial species for replication. While bacteriophage isolation from freshwater environments has been well-documented, relatively little is known about those that infect related marine bacteria. Researchers at Illinois Wesleyan University have amassed a collection of over 60 bacteriophages capable of infecting Rhodobacter capsulatus, a freshwater bacterium. Expanding this work to marine environments, samples collected from both the east and west coasts were analyzed, leading to the discovery of multiple novel marine bacteriophages. Bacteriophages capable of infecting Dinoroseobacter shibae, Phaeobacter inhibens, or Ruegeria pomeroyi were isolated and characterized through lysogeny and host range testing to assess their infectivity and host adaptation capabilities. Domestication methods and comprehensive genomic analyses using bioinformatic tools provided further insights into their genetic architecture and evolutionary trends. These discoveries expand Illinois Wesleyan University’s bacteriophage library while simultaneously contributing to a deeper understanding of bacteriophage-host interactions and genomic diversity in marine environments. By identifying patterns of host specificity and adaptability, this research provides valuable data to an understudied area of marine microbiology.
The Genomic Analysis and Characterization of Novel Marine Bacteriophages
CNS Atrium
Bacteriophages are viruses that require compatible bacterial species for replication. While bacteriophage isolation from freshwater environments has been well-documented, relatively little is known about those that infect related marine bacteria. Researchers at Illinois Wesleyan University have amassed a collection of over 60 bacteriophages capable of infecting Rhodobacter capsulatus, a freshwater bacterium. Expanding this work to marine environments, samples collected from both the east and west coasts were analyzed, leading to the discovery of multiple novel marine bacteriophages. Bacteriophages capable of infecting Dinoroseobacter shibae, Phaeobacter inhibens, or Ruegeria pomeroyi were isolated and characterized through lysogeny and host range testing to assess their infectivity and host adaptation capabilities. Domestication methods and comprehensive genomic analyses using bioinformatic tools provided further insights into their genetic architecture and evolutionary trends. These discoveries expand Illinois Wesleyan University’s bacteriophage library while simultaneously contributing to a deeper understanding of bacteriophage-host interactions and genomic diversity in marine environments. By identifying patterns of host specificity and adaptability, this research provides valuable data to an understudied area of marine microbiology.