Bacteriophage Phage

6. Humans should not be concerned about the bacteriophages infecting other cells because each bacteriophage is particular to a certain bacteria. If the bacterial cell exhibits traits that are desirable to the certain bacteriophage, then the phage will chose to bind and infect it, otherwise people have nothing to worry about.

The following tests according to the lab manual were performed: gram stain, fermentation tubes, methyl red, vogues proskauer, sulfur, indole, motility and growing it up on MacConkey agar. The gram stain was performed incorrectly the first time. This is because the decolorizer was not on the bacterium slide for long enough, giving a false outcome.

Isolating and characterize a novel phage from the environment requires several steps and several frustrations. By isolating and investigating a phage found in the Pullman region can hopefully lead to a newly discovered phage that can help researchers discover more about the life cycle and process of phage infection. Some phage infection can be good due to infecting the bacteria that is not wanted or is harmful to the environment or humans. Within this lab, there were steps taken necessary to isolate a novel phage that was obtained from the surrounding Pullman area. This report reflects plaques being isolated but then stopped due to errors and loss of plates. The final touches and procedures were accomplished with a given DNA ladder that was

The purpose of the following study is to determine where the two unknown bacteria acquired in Microbiology lab should be classified in regards to temperature, pH level, and osmoregularity. It is important to classify bacteria in order to identify them. Identification of bacteria is important because they are not only useful but potentially dangerous as well. The identification of bacteria can lead to breakthroughs in healthcare regarding treatment of old and new diseases alike. Identifying bacteria can also be used in many other areas from better crop production through microbial pesticides to biological warfare. Their uses are endless as are their abilities to evolve and adapt to changing environments. That is why it is so important

Methods and materials The first process of identifying the bacteria was obtaining a TSA plate and using the streak method called the three sector technique. The streak plate is used for the purpose of separating the two bacteria’s and establishing colonies as explained in the lab manual. The two plates were incubated at 37 degrees Celsius for a period of forty eight hours.

The SEA Phage Project is a national project that keeps in account of different phage discoveries across the country. This research course for the two semester starts with digging up soil to find rare and similar phages (http://seaphages.org/). Started by the Howard Hughes Medical, it helps students get the experience of being in an advance lab session and also helps with advancing in their science career of their choice in genome annotation and bioinformatic analysis (http://seaphages.org/). The program requires a set of protocols used into completing this research. Its components are 1. Isolation, purification and amplification, 2. Bioinformatic and genomic features (Poxleitner, M, et al). The purpose of this research is to learn different lab techniques and experience a real- life lab work that is able to stay with students and use it for future references.

For example using media that contains a certain sugar, like glucose, will show if the organism can use that sugar in the absence of oxygen to produce acid. As well as preforming a catalase test that will show the bacteria’s ability to produce catalase when hydrogen peroxide is added to the microorganism. If the organism is positive for catalase it will demonstrate bubbling after the hydrogen peroxide is added, which means that the organism can produce the enzyme catalase to breakdown hydrogen peroxide to water and oxygen gas. Cell wall structure also varies in microbes, preforming a gram stain can help narrow down the identity of the microorganism by classifying it as gram-positive (+) or gram-negative (-). These among other similar identification techniques can help determine an unknown bacteria in a mixed

4) A MSA plate test was run on a sample of the organism and the results were consistent with the given results for M. Luteus. The results showed a fair amount of growth on the plate, and the color of the agar around the growth remained red. The MSA test is selective in that the salt will inhibit most gram negative organisms and select for gram positives. If there is growth and the color of the agar turns yellow around the growth, this would mean that mannitol was fermented by the organism and the acid waste released by the bacterium lowered the pH around the growth. Since there was growth and no color change, the sample is said to be gram positive and unable to ferment mannitol (negative for differential). This result was also consistent with the given test results for M. Luteus.

The identification of bacteria is a fundamental objective of microbiologists. It is essential to distinguish specific bacterial properties to understand the environment, physiology and disease. As new bacterial species emerge and existing ones evolve into different strains, it is imperative that microbiologists continue to isolate bacteria from the field, identify their findings and research newly discovered forms. Their discoveries can then be used to evaluate the types of microbial life that may be found in certain environments and the corresponding benefits or risks to those that dwell in those areas.

After being assigned a broth containing two unknown bacteria on 3/17/15, I inoculated a sterilized wire loop with the bacteria and streaked it across a TSA plate. This was to separate the two bacteria. After two rounds of streaking, I discovered one of my bacteria was dead and had to acquire it separately from Dr. Christmann. Once my bacteria were separated, I began Gram staining. To Gram stain, I took a slide and spread each bacterium with a droplet of water onto two different slides.

pneumoniae is Gram positive or Gram negative by following the staining process. A clean slide was retrieved and carefully a small drop of water was placed on the slide. The lid of the plate was opened and a sterile swab was swiped a few times to get enough of the S. pneumoniae. The swab of S. pneumoniae was mixed with the water on the slide, then allowed to air dry. After air drying, the slide were held with slide clamps and passed over a Bunsen burner at a 45° angle a few times until warmed. The slide was placed on the staining tray that was set up prior to the beginning of the lab. Four drops of crystal violet were dripped on to the slide and left on for one minute. Then the slide was tilted at a 45°angle and carefully the crystal violet was washed off with the distilled water from the squirt bottle. Next, the slide was stained with iodine and kept on for one minute. Then the slide was tilted at a 45° angle and washed off carefully with distilled water from squirt bottle. 95% alcohol was dripped onto the slide until the run off became clear. Distilled water from squirt bottle was used to wash off the 95% alcohol. Safranin was applied for 45 seconds, then the slide was tilted at a 45° angle and washed off with distilled water. With bibulous paper, the slide was carefully dried to prevent removing of S. pneumoniae and ruining the

The study is important to detect if there is a relationship between the amount of phages and the mucus layers in the body because this could help to fight infection from viruses. The information found from the study clearly displays the symbiotic relationship between the phage and the mucus layer of the metazoan host. However, the flow of the article is hard to follow and there are many different experiments briefly explained which could be expanded to help better connect all the experiments. Although the study shows that less bacteria adherence and more phage

The oldest war on earth is one not between nations or tribes, humans and animals, but the one between bacteria and viruses. Bacterial phages have been attacking bacteria for millions of years. This process happens when a phage (virus) attaches onto the bacteria and inserts its DNA to take over the cell and use it as a factory to produce more viruses. Nearly 40 percent of all bacteria die every single day because of this, but sometimes a bacteria will endure the attack and are able to use their most effective attack, CRISPER. This DNA archive is used to store a genetic copy of the attacking virus, when the virus makes an appearance again the bacteria is able to use its very own super power, a protein called CAS9. It is then able to extremely accurately compare its DNA with the stored copy of the virus DNA and look for an identical match. When found it is able to precisely “cut out” the virus DNA making it ineffective and protecting the cell. Bit this revolution into CRISPER genetic modification didn’t happen until scientist realized that it was programmable.

This experiment involves many qualitative tests to determine a mixed double unknown bacteria that contains two bacteria species; one gram-positive and one gram-negative. A dichotomous key was used in order to determine what tests needed to be conducted to define the particular bacteria. It is highly important for the tests to be followed as specified in the manual; otherwise, the bacteria could be falsely identified. Controls must be included in the testing to make sure there is something to compare the unknown results to. The tests conducted in this experiment included, gram stain, SIM, citrate, nitrate, oxidase, DNase, catalase, hemolysis, and novobiocin sensitivity. Through these tests one can conclude that the bacteria species present in the mixed unknown are Shigella

Viruses can be found in every corner of the world. Every living organism found on earth has a virus that infects it. There are ten times more viruses than bacteria, making them the most abundant biomass in the world. They are known for causing infectious diseases, however, some viruses have been shown the have beneficial attributes. Bacteriophages are viruses that specifically infect bacteria in order to replicate. In 1917, scientists would use bacteriophages to treat dysentery which was the first reported case of bacteriophages be used as a form of therapy [1].