Document Type
Poster
Session Format
Oral presentation only (in-person)
Location
Arts and Sciences 2-75
Publication Date
2024
Faculty Advisor
Indiren Pillay
Start Date
27-3-2024 3:20 PM
End Date
27-3-2024 3:30 PM
Abstract
Bacteriophages are viruses that infect a wide variety of host bacteria with some strains having medical and industrial significance. These highly abundant and genetically bacterial viruses constitute a large amount of unexplored genetic information. Because bacteriophages are highly specific, they can be used therapeutically to combat bacterial infections by selecting a phage to target and kill harmful bacteria. Thus, phage therapy is currently being explored to aid in the fight against antibiotic resistance. Actinobacteriophages are viruses that specifically infect Phylum Actinobacteria hosts including the environmentally abundant Gordonia terrae. Some species of Gordonia, including G. terrae, have also been isolated from human infections. Therefore, genomics and phage therapy can both potentially benefit from the isolation and characterization of novel Gordonia phage. Gordonia phage have been previously isolated from the soil environment, however, optimal environmental parameters for isolation have not been fully explored. In this study, monthly soil samples were collected from different regions in central Georgia to isolate novel Gordonia phages and to determine if environmental conditions, including soil chemistry, affect phage distribution and diversity. Successful isolation from different environments was determined by the presence of phage in G. terrae enriched samples. Turner Creek Boat Ramp in Savannah, GA was the only site that produced viable phage. Preliminary data indicates that soil PH, organic carbon, and various elements including potassium, chlorine, and silicon may influence phage abundance. This study was conducted to inform optimal soil conditions for Gordonia-specific phage isolation.
Recommended Citation
This session will be also delivered as a poster from 10:00 a.m. - 10:50 a.m. in Magnolia Ballroom.