Isolating, Purifying, and Investigating Mycobacterial Lysogens
Session Title
Biological Science Research
Faculty Mentor
Victoria Frost, Ph.D.; Michael Lipscomb, Ph.D.; Kathryn Kohl, Ph.D.; Kristi Westover, Ph.D.; frostv@winthrop.edu; lipscombm@winthrop.edu; kohlk@winthrop.edu; westoverk@winthrop.edu
College
College of Arts and Sciences
Department
Biology
Faculty Mentor
Victoria Frost, Ph.D.; Michael Lipscomb, Ph.D.; Kathryn Kohl, Ph.D.; Kristi Westover, Ph.D.
Abstract
Bacteria have shared an entangled evolutionary history with bacteriophages for the past three billion years. Some bacteriophages (phages) use a specific type of infectious pathway that helps maintain their host’s viability, thus enabling a mechanism of co-existence. To investigate this further, two temperate mycobacteriophages (ExplosioNervosa and Rhynn) were selected since both are able to form lysogens and exist in the host cell’s genome indefinitely as a prophage. Annotation of their genomes revealed immunity related genes that potentially explain how some phages are able to protect their host and resist superinfection by other related and non-related phages. Bacterial lysogens were created by incubating bacterial host cells with the phages. Resulting mesas were a sign that host cell growth had taken place in the presence of a prophage. The lysogens were purified and tested against their original infecting phage as well as an unrelated bacteriophage (Haimas) to see if they were able to resist superinfection. Tests showed that both Haimas and the original viruses were able to infect and lyse the lysogens. Infections of these phages on their own lysogens raised the idea of spontaneous reversion; the prophages possibly reverted to the lytic cycle due to a triggering condition in their environment. The ability of the host-phage relationship to respond to certain environmental signals warrants further investigation. Investigating the triggers and unraveling the mechanisms that fuel coevolution helps further our understanding of the host-parasite equilibrium that exists today and highlights opportunities for future applications.
Additional Fields About Your Abstract
Please check this if you understand.
Honors Thesis Committee
Victoria Frost, Ph.D.; Michael Lipscomb, Ph.D.; Kathryn Kohl, Ph.D.; Kristi Westover, Ph.D.
Honors Thesis Committee
Victoria Frost, Ph.D.; Michael Lipscomb, Ph.D.; Kathryn Kohl, Ph.D.; Kristi Westover, Ph.D.
Other Presentations/Performances
Association of Southeastern Biologists, March 2021
Grant Support
SC INBRE 2019-2020 HHMI Sponsorship 2017
Start Date
16-4-2021 12:15 PM
Isolating, Purifying, and Investigating Mycobacterial Lysogens
Bacteria have shared an entangled evolutionary history with bacteriophages for the past three billion years. Some bacteriophages (phages) use a specific type of infectious pathway that helps maintain their host’s viability, thus enabling a mechanism of co-existence. To investigate this further, two temperate mycobacteriophages (ExplosioNervosa and Rhynn) were selected since both are able to form lysogens and exist in the host cell’s genome indefinitely as a prophage. Annotation of their genomes revealed immunity related genes that potentially explain how some phages are able to protect their host and resist superinfection by other related and non-related phages. Bacterial lysogens were created by incubating bacterial host cells with the phages. Resulting mesas were a sign that host cell growth had taken place in the presence of a prophage. The lysogens were purified and tested against their original infecting phage as well as an unrelated bacteriophage (Haimas) to see if they were able to resist superinfection. Tests showed that both Haimas and the original viruses were able to infect and lyse the lysogens. Infections of these phages on their own lysogens raised the idea of spontaneous reversion; the prophages possibly reverted to the lytic cycle due to a triggering condition in their environment. The ability of the host-phage relationship to respond to certain environmental signals warrants further investigation. Investigating the triggers and unraveling the mechanisms that fuel coevolution helps further our understanding of the host-parasite equilibrium that exists today and highlights opportunities for future applications.
