Tracking bacteria-phage dynamics in a natural tree disease system
Britt Koskella, Professor
Integrative Biology
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We are building a new system (fire blight of pear trees) to better understand how bacteriophage viruses might impact the ability of a bacterial pathogen (Erwinia amylovora) to colonize and infect pear trees. We are tracking bacteria-phage interactions through time by isolating individual phages from each of 25 diseased pear trees across the growing season. We are also asking which bacteria each phage is capable of infecting in order to gain a broad understanding of the potential role phages have in shaping the pear tree microbiome.
Role: The undergraduate researcher would be involved in helping to isolate phages from the Pear tree phyllosphere by culturing bacteria, growing bacterial lawns, isolating and amplifying phages, and testing the host range of each isolated phage using bacterial growth curve assays.
Qualifications: A keen interest in science, some experience with sterile technique or bacterial/phage culturing, good organizational habits, and ability to work well with others.
Day-to-day supervisor for this project: Kai Wu
Hours: 6-8 hrs
Related website: https://naturesmicrocosm.com/
Biological & Health Sciences