Hi guys,
This past semester (spring 2018) I spent my time working in the SEA Phage lab as a part of my Biology 1113 course at the Ohio State University. In this lab I collected soil samples around Ohio State’s campus and tested them with Arthrobacter sp. bacteria in order to see if bacteriophage, which is a category of viruses that infect bacteria, was present. After finding that one of my samples contained bacteriophage that could infect this bacteria, I worked to purify my sample and then increase the bacteriophage populations on my plates. Then I worked to extract and then analyze my phage’s DNA using gel electrophoresis. Lastly, I wrote a research paper on this bacteriophage talking about my methods, materials, results, and what my phage has to offer the world. I have attached it to this post so that you can read it. This type of novel bacteriophage could one day lead to new ways to kill unwanted Arthrobacter living in the soil. Arthrobacter has been found to break down many pesticides normally used to treat crops. If this type of bacteriophage was added to a soil treatment it would kill the excess Arthrobacter which would allow farmers to use less pesticides as they would last longer.