Great question! First, knowing that the phage I discovered was, in fact, temperate, it could function in the infection of a bacterial cells to genetically engineer the host bacterial DNA/hinder genome expression by excising (I believe via enzyme excisionase) some of the genome. Structure=function, so the change in genetic structure with the integration of genome could potentially help regulate some of the destructive properties of the infected cell. In that temperate phage can be induced into the lytic cycle under certain conditions, it is possible that the phage could function as a contender for phage therapy if naturally or genetically-modified to enter that cycle in order to function in the generalized problem of antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections. While it is not known to me the functions of similar phage in the N or K(5) clusters, with research, I may be able to narrow down which specific bacteria my phage could potentially to use as a host, as phage in these clusters are genetically similar (and likely ancestrally) to my phage. Knowing this would very much benefit my knowledge of its specific function in the cellular world, so obviously there is future research to be done in that regard.
One other thing: temperate phages can induce transduction, which is the transfer of genes from one bacterial cell to another, which can create new phenotypes and genetic diversity among bacteria. This is a function that is extremely relavent in the world of evolutionary sciences and bacterial ecology!
By changing environmental conditions, like temperature and pH, it would provide a lens into the overall function of my phage as a lysogen. In terms of scientific application, it may be useful in attempts to use the phage therapeutically, as understanding its breaking point could induce the lysing of cells in benefit of humans. Additionally, understanding lysogeny could be used scientifically to induce immunity from infection (one of the functions of temperate phage) in the bacterial cell under potentially unique environmental conditions, which could come to benefit if beneficial bacteria is targeted.
Thank you so much for your kind words, that made my heart so very happy. In terms of your question, I was actually not specifically instructed to add a methods section and was, instead, advised to touch on those procedures when explaining the figures in my results section. However, I do agree with you that having a methods section could provide more organization and easier understanding for those viewing the presentation, so I appreciate you bringing up your concern so that I can better configure a poster for the audience’s interest in future classes 🙂
Based on the now known characteristics of your phage, what would you predict the function of it to be?
Great question! First, knowing that the phage I discovered was, in fact, temperate, it could function in the infection of a bacterial cells to genetically engineer the host bacterial DNA/hinder genome expression by excising (I believe via enzyme excisionase) some of the genome. Structure=function, so the change in genetic structure with the integration of genome could potentially help regulate some of the destructive properties of the infected cell. In that temperate phage can be induced into the lytic cycle under certain conditions, it is possible that the phage could function as a contender for phage therapy if naturally or genetically-modified to enter that cycle in order to function in the generalized problem of antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections. While it is not known to me the functions of similar phage in the N or K(5) clusters, with research, I may be able to narrow down which specific bacteria my phage could potentially to use as a host, as phage in these clusters are genetically similar (and likely ancestrally) to my phage. Knowing this would very much benefit my knowledge of its specific function in the cellular world, so obviously there is future research to be done in that regard.
One other thing: temperate phages can induce transduction, which is the transfer of genes from one bacterial cell to another, which can create new phenotypes and genetic diversity among bacteria. This is a function that is extremely relavent in the world of evolutionary sciences and bacterial ecology!
For your future directions, what would endurance indicate in terms of scientific application?
By changing environmental conditions, like temperature and pH, it would provide a lens into the overall function of my phage as a lysogen. In terms of scientific application, it may be useful in attempts to use the phage therapeutically, as understanding its breaking point could induce the lysing of cells in benefit of humans. Additionally, understanding lysogeny could be used scientifically to induce immunity from infection (one of the functions of temperate phage) in the bacterial cell under potentially unique environmental conditions, which could come to benefit if beneficial bacteria is targeted.
Hi Cara, great video! It was very clear and succinct and the pacing made the presentation very easy to follow.
I was just wondering if there is supposed to be a separate methods section to the poster?
You mentioned what I thought to be the lab’s method in the presentation, but it would be nice to have a distinct section on the presentation as well.
Overall, great job!
Thank you so much for your kind words, that made my heart so very happy. In terms of your question, I was actually not specifically instructed to add a methods section and was, instead, advised to touch on those procedures when explaining the figures in my results section. However, I do agree with you that having a methods section could provide more organization and easier understanding for those viewing the presentation, so I appreciate you bringing up your concern so that I can better configure a poster for the audience’s interest in future classes 🙂