Hi Brian! DNA sequencing is a long process, and I must admit that I am not entirely familiar with the methods involved. If you are interested in learning more, there is a second phage genomics lab here at CU Boulder that focuses on sequencing these phage genomes!
Excellent Presentation America. So is the main purpose of a bacteriophage to survive, or kill its host? If it is the later why would the temperate bacteriophage wait until the environment is unfavorable to start its lytic cycle?
Hi Cristian, good question! As with most viruses, bacteriophages infect host cells for the purpose of reproduction. Because the phages lack some of the machinery needed to replicate themselves, they must use some of the host cell machinery to complete this process. This is a survival tactic for the phage, and the killing of the host cell is simply an unavoidable side effect. Temperate bacteriophages do not typically choose to enter the lytic cycle under good conditions because, when they integrate their DNA into the host chromosome, this DNA replicates as the host cell replicates. This results in dozens of cells that contain phage DNA capable of entering the lytic cycle and replicating.
Hello Caleb! Because the majority of current bacteriophage research is geared towards treating antibiotic-resistant infections, other potential uses did not often present themselves during my research. It is my understanding that phages have been studied as a potential carrier for DNA and protein vaccines, but I could not provide much detail on that process. Thank you for your question!
Hello Caleb! Because the majority of current bacteriophage research is geared towards treating antibiotic-resistant infections, other opportunities for their use did not often present themselves during my research. It is my understanding that research has been done regarding phages as potential carriers for DNA and protein vaccines, however, I do not have enough knowledge to speak to that process. Thank you for your question!
What experiment would you ideally use to sequence the NastyNellie genome?
Hi Brian! DNA sequencing is a long process, and I must admit that I am not entirely familiar with the methods involved. If you are interested in learning more, there is a second phage genomics lab here at CU Boulder that focuses on sequencing these phage genomes!
Excellent Presentation America. So is the main purpose of a bacteriophage to survive, or kill its host? If it is the later why would the temperate bacteriophage wait until the environment is unfavorable to start its lytic cycle?
Hi Cristian, good question! As with most viruses, bacteriophages infect host cells for the purpose of reproduction. Because the phages lack some of the machinery needed to replicate themselves, they must use some of the host cell machinery to complete this process. This is a survival tactic for the phage, and the killing of the host cell is simply an unavoidable side effect. Temperate bacteriophages do not typically choose to enter the lytic cycle under good conditions because, when they integrate their DNA into the host chromosome, this DNA replicates as the host cell replicates. This results in dozens of cells that contain phage DNA capable of entering the lytic cycle and replicating.
Could you think of any other medical or biological uses outside of phage therapy for a temperate phage?
Hello Caleb! Because the majority of current bacteriophage research is geared towards treating antibiotic-resistant infections, other potential uses did not often present themselves during my research. It is my understanding that phages have been studied as a potential carrier for DNA and protein vaccines, but I could not provide much detail on that process. Thank you for your question!
Hello Caleb! Because the majority of current bacteriophage research is geared towards treating antibiotic-resistant infections, other opportunities for their use did not often present themselves during my research. It is my understanding that research has been done regarding phages as potential carriers for DNA and protein vaccines, however, I do not have enough knowledge to speak to that process. Thank you for your question!