Find Phage Using Microbacterium Testaceum
Session Number
Project ID: BIO 19
Advisor(s)
Dr. Crystal Randall; Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy
Discipline
Biology
Start Date
22-4-2020 8:50 AM
End Date
22-4-2020 9:05 AM
Abstract
Bacteriophages are found everywhere, and this study is looking into discovering more about them in a specific area, using the host Microbacterium Testaceum. When considering how abundant phages are, as well as how important they are to the ecosystem, we know shockingly little about specific genomes of phages. Only a few genomes of phage have been released to the public for this host, so we are using it as our host in hopes of finding more. We are attempting to find more phage genomes by going out and collecting soil, and testing the soil to see if it has phage that is compatible with our host. To do so we complete processes that isolate the phage from the dirt, purify the phage so that there is a confirmed singular strain, and then amplify that strain so we have enough samples to send to a different lab that sequences phage genomes. Getting these genomes sequenced will give other scientists more types of phage to work with when studying phage in the future, such as looking into their use as possible treatments to disease.
Find Phage Using Microbacterium Testaceum
Bacteriophages are found everywhere, and this study is looking into discovering more about them in a specific area, using the host Microbacterium Testaceum. When considering how abundant phages are, as well as how important they are to the ecosystem, we know shockingly little about specific genomes of phages. Only a few genomes of phage have been released to the public for this host, so we are using it as our host in hopes of finding more. We are attempting to find more phage genomes by going out and collecting soil, and testing the soil to see if it has phage that is compatible with our host. To do so we complete processes that isolate the phage from the dirt, purify the phage so that there is a confirmed singular strain, and then amplify that strain so we have enough samples to send to a different lab that sequences phage genomes. Getting these genomes sequenced will give other scientists more types of phage to work with when studying phage in the future, such as looking into their use as possible treatments to disease.