Celebration of Scholars
P50 - Genomic Analysis and Comparison of Mycobacterium Phage Marlia: Your Worst Enemies’ Potential Worst Enemy
Name:
Maxwell Becker
Major: Biology
Hometown: Mokena, IL
Faculty Sponsor: Deborah Tobiason
Other Sponsors:
Type of research: Course project
Name:
Joe Krakora
Major: Biology
Hometown: Lake Bluff, IL
Faculty Sponsor: Deborah Tobiason
Other Sponsors:
Type of research: Course project
Name:
Eric Neu
Major: Biology
Hometown: Kenosha, WI
Faculty Sponsor: Deborah Tobiason
Other Sponsors:
Type of research: Course project
Name:
Katherine Riekmann
Major: Biology/Music
Hometown: Pardeeville, WI
Faculty Sponsor: Deborah Tobiason
Other Sponsors:
Type of research: Course project
Name:
Paul Schroeder
Major: Biology
Hometown: Kenosha, WI
Faculty Sponsor: Deborah Tobiason
Other Sponsors:
Type of research: Course project
Name:
Natalia Solis
Major: Biology/Chemistry
Hometown: Hanover Park, IL
Faculty Sponsor: Deborah Tobiason
Other Sponsors:
Type of research: Course project
Abstract
Bacteriophages have been studied for decades for their ability to specifically kill bacteria and are of interest to combating antibiotic-resistant bacteria such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Our study aims to characterize the lytic Mycobacterium bacteriophage Marlia, a member of the B3 cluster. Marlia was isolated from a vegetable garden in Hanover Park, IL, by BIO1110 Carthage students, using the host bacteria Mycobacterium smegmatis. Marlia forms small pin-prick clear plaques, and using electron microscopy, we were able to classify it as a long, flexible-tailed Siphoviridae. The sequenced genome of phage Marlia was analyzed using PECAAN, a website that combines HHPRED and NCBI BLAST to compare protein folding and amino acid sequences, and Phamerator to visually compare phage genomes and make accurate predictions of each gene in Marlia’s genome. Once all 103 genes were annotated, we were able to compare Marlia’s genome with the genome of other bacteriophages in and out of the B3 cluster to identify specific genes of interest that could warrant further experimentation; genes such as those resembling Par-A and B protein domains which contradict our current understanding of Marlia’s life cycle being lytic. With further characterization of Marlia’s genome, the successful organization and description of Marlia’s genome could lead to a better understanding of phages and how they might be used to combat antibiotic resistance.
Submit date: April 7, 2025, 6:19 p.m.