Exploring Marine Phages of Three Different Hosts

Presenter and Advisor Information

Jessica Navarro, Illinois Wesleyan University

Major

Biology

Second Major

International and Global Studies

Submission Type

Poster

Area of Study or Work

Biology

Faculty Advisor

Richard Alvey

Location

CNS Atrium

Start Date

4-12-2025 11:15 AM

End Date

4-12-2025 12:15 PM

Abstract

Bacteriophages, viruses that infect bacteria, are considered the most plentiful biological entities in the biosphere with an estimated 10^31 particles on the planet. Although abundant, their evolution, morphology, and ecological roles are understudied. At IWU we have largely focused on phages from freshwater environments. As part of my research, I aimed to study phages from marine environments using three different hosts R.pomeroyi (Rp), P.inhibens (Pi), and the cyanobacterium, Synechococcus 7002. Multiple phages were isolated from a single saltwater sample collected from Rincón de Guayabitos, México. For two of these phages, PiMcNew and RpGardner, I have performed DNA extraction and have obtained their complete genome sequence. These genomic sequences will be annotated to allow the assembly of phylogenetic trees to study their evolutionary relationships. With the marine cyanobacterium Synechococcus 7002, I have begun to explore the feasibility of finding new phages for this host which has never been used before. Together these studies will help to illuminate the unseen battles of the marine realm and provide a point of comparison for our findings with those in freshwater environments.

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Apr 12th, 11:15 AM Apr 12th, 12:15 PM

Exploring Marine Phages of Three Different Hosts

CNS Atrium

Bacteriophages, viruses that infect bacteria, are considered the most plentiful biological entities in the biosphere with an estimated 10^31 particles on the planet. Although abundant, their evolution, morphology, and ecological roles are understudied. At IWU we have largely focused on phages from freshwater environments. As part of my research, I aimed to study phages from marine environments using three different hosts R.pomeroyi (Rp), P.inhibens (Pi), and the cyanobacterium, Synechococcus 7002. Multiple phages were isolated from a single saltwater sample collected from Rincón de Guayabitos, México. For two of these phages, PiMcNew and RpGardner, I have performed DNA extraction and have obtained their complete genome sequence. These genomic sequences will be annotated to allow the assembly of phylogenetic trees to study their evolutionary relationships. With the marine cyanobacterium Synechococcus 7002, I have begun to explore the feasibility of finding new phages for this host which has never been used before. Together these studies will help to illuminate the unseen battles of the marine realm and provide a point of comparison for our findings with those in freshwater environments.