Genomic Annotation of Mycobacterium smegmatis Bacteriophages Rhynn and ExplosioNervosa
Poster Number
047
College
College of Arts and Sciences
Department
Biology
Faculty Mentor
Victoria Frost, Ph.D., and Kristi Westover Ph.D.
Abstract
In conjunction with the HHMI Science Education Alliance – Phage Hunters Advancing Genomics and Evolutionary Science (SEA-PHAGES) Program, two novel bacteriophages were isolated and characterized. Phage DNA samples were sequenced at Pittsburg State University. Both shared sequence homology with known members of the Cluster A mycobacteriophages. Rhynn belongs to sub-cluster A1 and ExplosioNervosa belongs to sub-cluster A9, each containing approximately 90 open reading frames. ExplosiaNervosa is 53,014 base pairs in length, with 61.9% GC content, while Rhynn is 52,522 base pairs in length, with 62.0% GC content. Each open reading frame was evaluated to determine start sites, using algorithms assessing coding potential and ribosomal binding scores, as well as homology with other known phages. Putative functions were determined using homology searches at BLASTp (National Center for Biotechnology Information) and HHPred (Max Plank Institute for Developmental Biology). This research expands our understanding of the genomic diversity of bacteriophages in this geographic region.
Course Assignment
BIOL 271 – Frost, Westover
Previously Presented/Performed?
Fourth Annual Showcase of Undergraduate Research and Creative Endeavors (SOURCE), Winthrop University, April 2018
Grant Support?
Supported by a grant from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute for the SEA-PHAGES Program
Start Date
20-4-2018 2:15 PM
End Date
20-4-2018 4:15 PM
Genomic Annotation of Mycobacterium smegmatis Bacteriophages Rhynn and ExplosioNervosa
Richardson Ballroom (DIGS)
In conjunction with the HHMI Science Education Alliance – Phage Hunters Advancing Genomics and Evolutionary Science (SEA-PHAGES) Program, two novel bacteriophages were isolated and characterized. Phage DNA samples were sequenced at Pittsburg State University. Both shared sequence homology with known members of the Cluster A mycobacteriophages. Rhynn belongs to sub-cluster A1 and ExplosioNervosa belongs to sub-cluster A9, each containing approximately 90 open reading frames. ExplosiaNervosa is 53,014 base pairs in length, with 61.9% GC content, while Rhynn is 52,522 base pairs in length, with 62.0% GC content. Each open reading frame was evaluated to determine start sites, using algorithms assessing coding potential and ribosomal binding scores, as well as homology with other known phages. Putative functions were determined using homology searches at BLASTp (National Center for Biotechnology Information) and HHPred (Max Plank Institute for Developmental Biology). This research expands our understanding of the genomic diversity of bacteriophages in this geographic region.
