Investigation of binding parameters for arthrobacter phage
Presentation Type
Abstract
Faculty Advisor
Quinn Vega
Access Type
Event
Start Date
25-4-2025 10:30 AM
End Date
25-4-2025 11:29 AM
Description
Bacteriophage are viruses which infect bacterial hosts. Since their initial discovery, phage have been vital model organisms for biological research. Phage research has led to important insights from discovering that DNA is the hereditary molecule to uncovering the CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing system. This project will aim to shed light on two bacteriophages that were recently discovered at Montclair State University. In particular, the parameters that govern their adhesion to their bacterial host will be investigated. The two phages are Linus and Inked –they infect Arthrobacter sp. This bacteria is a prominent member of soil communities and is commercially important with uses in bioremediation and food production. Early data has shown that Linus and Inked adhere to Arthrobacter at differing rates with Linus possibly adhering to Arthrobacter quicker than Inked. Additional data has shown that as time increases so does the total number of phages that adhere to Arthrobacter. It’s possible that structural/genetic differences between the two phage are responsible for this gap although the exact differences responsible for said gap remains to be understood. Preliminary data in which a fixed number of phage are added to decreasing concentrations of bacteria is beginning to reveal the total number of phage that can adhere to a bacterial cell which in turn elucidates the potential number of receptor sites a single bacterium has. Once binding parameters such as temperature and pH are more clearly delineated, we will work towards identifying the specific receptors targeted by these phages and elucidating the mechanism of binding.
Investigation of binding parameters for arthrobacter phage
Bacteriophage are viruses which infect bacterial hosts. Since their initial discovery, phage have been vital model organisms for biological research. Phage research has led to important insights from discovering that DNA is the hereditary molecule to uncovering the CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing system. This project will aim to shed light on two bacteriophages that were recently discovered at Montclair State University. In particular, the parameters that govern their adhesion to their bacterial host will be investigated. The two phages are Linus and Inked –they infect Arthrobacter sp. This bacteria is a prominent member of soil communities and is commercially important with uses in bioremediation and food production. Early data has shown that Linus and Inked adhere to Arthrobacter at differing rates with Linus possibly adhering to Arthrobacter quicker than Inked. Additional data has shown that as time increases so does the total number of phages that adhere to Arthrobacter. It’s possible that structural/genetic differences between the two phage are responsible for this gap although the exact differences responsible for said gap remains to be understood. Preliminary data in which a fixed number of phage are added to decreasing concentrations of bacteria is beginning to reveal the total number of phage that can adhere to a bacterial cell which in turn elucidates the potential number of receptor sites a single bacterium has. Once binding parameters such as temperature and pH are more clearly delineated, we will work towards identifying the specific receptors targeted by these phages and elucidating the mechanism of binding.
Comments
Poster presentation at the 2025 Student Research Symposium.