Isolation, Purification, and Characterization of Soil Bacteriophages Asriel and Haimas
Poster Number
20
College
College of Arts and Sciences
Department
Biology
Faculty Mentor
Victoria Frost, Ph.D., and Kristi Westover, Ph.D.
Abstract
The goal of this study was to isolate, purify, and characterize bacteriophages found in soil near Rock Hill, South Carolina, near Winthrop University. In conjunction with the HHMI Science Education Alliance – Phage Hunters Advancing Genomics and Evolutionary Science (SEA-PHAGES) Program, this research expands our understanding of the genomic diversity of bacteriophages in this region. Two novel bacteriophages, Asriel and Haimas, were isolated from the soil and characterized. Samples were enriched using Mycobacterium smegmatis and purified until uniform plaques were isolated. High titer lysates were prepared from pure culture and DNA was isolated for analysis for restriction enzyme digests. DNA was sequenced at Pittsburg State University (PSU), followed by annotation using DNA Master Software. Asriel is 74,594 base pairs in length, has approximately 142 genes, and is a member of Cluster E. Haimas is 68,296 base pairs in length, has approximately 100 genes, and is a member of Cluster B1.
Course Assignment
BIOL 271 – Westover and BIOL 203R – Frost
Previously Presented/Performed?
American Society for Microbiology, South Carolina Branch Meeting, Florence, South Carolina, March 2017
Grant Support?
Supported by grant from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute for the SEA-PHAGES Program
Start Date
21-4-2017 12:00 PM
Isolation, Purification, and Characterization of Soil Bacteriophages Asriel and Haimas
Rutledge
The goal of this study was to isolate, purify, and characterize bacteriophages found in soil near Rock Hill, South Carolina, near Winthrop University. In conjunction with the HHMI Science Education Alliance – Phage Hunters Advancing Genomics and Evolutionary Science (SEA-PHAGES) Program, this research expands our understanding of the genomic diversity of bacteriophages in this region. Two novel bacteriophages, Asriel and Haimas, were isolated from the soil and characterized. Samples were enriched using Mycobacterium smegmatis and purified until uniform plaques were isolated. High titer lysates were prepared from pure culture and DNA was isolated for analysis for restriction enzyme digests. DNA was sequenced at Pittsburg State University (PSU), followed by annotation using DNA Master Software. Asriel is 74,594 base pairs in length, has approximately 142 genes, and is a member of Cluster E. Haimas is 68,296 base pairs in length, has approximately 100 genes, and is a member of Cluster B1.
