Characterization of Bacteriophage Little Ben that Infects Mycobacterium Smegmatis.

Presenter(s)

Andrew Rizea

Abstract or Description

Bacteriophages are viruses that have shown promising effects in the fight against antibiotic resistance through their invasion and inhibition of bacteria. One bacterium frequently utilized in bacteriophage research is Mycobacterium smegmatis, which is a non-pathogenic microbe that lives in the soil.  M. smegmatis is related to pathogenic species, like Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the causative agent behind tuberculosis, and non-tuberculosis mycobacteria. Antibiotic resistant strains of mycobacteria have become a huge health burden and a better understanding of these microbes is necessary.  This study attempts to characterize a novel bacteriophage isolated from the environment that infects M. smegmatis. The mycobacteriophage LittleBen (LB) was isolated from a soil sample in Bagley, MN using an enrichment procedure with M. smegmatis as host. This phage was isolated by plaque purification performed 4 times to ensure a single phage was obtained. LB produces clear plaques with a diameter of 1.5 mm on a lawn of M. smegmatis. A high titer lysate of the phage is being used for DNA extraction and genome sequencing.  Results will provide more information regarding a novel virus isolated from the soil and may provide tools for future alternative treatments to antibiotic resistant infections.

Mentor

Dr. Holly LaFerriere