The clusters mean if their genome sequences are similar to other phages genomes. To tell which cluster they are in we isolated DNA to run a restriction digest gel using restriction enzymes. These enzymes cut the DNA and we put the number of cuts on the gel into a database and that tells us which cluster they might fall into. Then we run PCR using the primers of the clusters they might fall into and after running the PCR gel it tells us which cluster they belong too, in this case the K1 cluster.
Knowing the cluster of the phage helps us to understand if it will be useful for future research projects. For example taking on antibiotic resistant bacteria. If we know that a certain antibiotic resistant bacteria can be killed with a certain phage cluster, knowing our phage is a K1 cluster could maybe be the phage that kills the antibiotic resistant bacteria.
The purpose of doing this research was to be able to characterize phages and their genomes so they can be put into a database that scientists can use for future research projects.
Our results mean that we know the characteristics of our phage so they can be useful for future researchers. Knowing the characteristics of our phage it can be put into a database that scientists can use for future research.
What do the clusters of the phages mean, and how do you tell which cluster they fall into?
The clusters mean if their genome sequences are similar to other phages genomes. To tell which cluster they are in we isolated DNA to run a restriction digest gel using restriction enzymes. These enzymes cut the DNA and we put the number of cuts on the gel into a database and that tells us which cluster they might fall into. Then we run PCR using the primers of the clusters they might fall into and after running the PCR gel it tells us which cluster they belong too, in this case the K1 cluster.
What is the relevance of a K1 cluster in relation to this research ?
Knowing the cluster of the phage helps us to understand if it will be useful for future research projects. For example taking on antibiotic resistant bacteria. If we know that a certain antibiotic resistant bacteria can be killed with a certain phage cluster, knowing our phage is a K1 cluster could maybe be the phage that kills the antibiotic resistant bacteria.
What was the purpose or significance of preforming this research? In other words, why was it performed?
The purpose of doing this research was to be able to characterize phages and their genomes so they can be put into a database that scientists can use for future research projects.
Do your results mean that your phage can be useful?
Our results mean that we know the characteristics of our phage so they can be useful for future researchers. Knowing the characteristics of our phage it can be put into a database that scientists can use for future research.