Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 8, 2026

Identification of Novel Genes Associated with Alginate Production in Pseudomonas aeruginosa Using Mini-himar1 Mariner Transposon-mediated Mutagenesis
08:57

Identification of Novel Genes Associated with Alginate Production in Pseudomonas aeruginosa Using Mini-himar1 Mariner Transposon-mediated Mutagenesis

Published on: March 10, 2014

12.3K

Genome sequence of WestPM, a phage infecting Microbacterium foliorum isolated from beach environmental samples

Charles J West1,2, Brittany C Yencho3,2, Andrew J Brown4,2

  • 1Department of Microbiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL.

Micropublication Biology
|January 22, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Researchers characterized Bacteriophage WestPM, a virus infecting Microbacterium foliorum bacteria found on Pensacola Beach. Its genome analysis places it within the actinobacteriophage EA11 subcluster, offering insights into phage diversity.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Virology
  • Genomics

Background:

  • Bacteriophages are viruses that infect bacteria and play crucial roles in microbial ecosystems.
  • Understanding phage diversity is essential for various applications, including phage therapy and microbial community modulation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize a novel siphoviral-like bacteriophage, designated WestPM.
  • To determine the genomic features of WestPM and its phylogenetic relationship to other phages.

Main Methods:

  • Isolation of bacteriophage WestPM from environmental samples.
  • Whole-genome sequencing and bioinformatic analysis of the phage genome.
  • Comparative genomics to determine phylogenetic placement.

Main Results:

  • Bacteriophage WestPM infects Microbacterium foliorum.
  • The WestPM genome is 39,693 bp with 59 predicted protein-coding genes and no tRNA genes.
  • Phylogenetic analysis based on gene content similarity places WestPM within the actinobacteriophage EA11 subcluster.

Conclusions:

  • WestPM represents a novel addition to the known bacteriophage population.
  • Its genomic characteristics and phylogenetic placement provide valuable data for understanding actinobacteriophage diversity.

More Related Videos

Phage Phenomics: Physiological Approaches to Characterize Novel Viral Proteins09:40

Phage Phenomics: Physiological Approaches to Characterize Novel Viral Proteins

Published on: June 11, 2015

12.1K
Phage-Mediated Genetic Manipulation of the Lyme Disease Spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi09:01

Phage-Mediated Genetic Manipulation of the Lyme Disease Spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi

Published on: September 28, 2022

1.9K

Related Concept Videos

Genomic DNA in Prokaryotes00:46

Genomic DNA in Prokaryotes

The genome of most prokaryotic organisms consists of double-stranded DNA organized into one circular chromosome in a region of cytoplasm called the nucleoid. The chromosome is tightly wound, or supercoiled, for efficient storage. Prokaryotes also contain other circular pieces of DNA called plasmids. These plasmids are smaller than the chromosome and often carry genes that confer adaptive functions, such as antibiotic resistance.
Genomic Diversity in Bacteria
Although bacterial genomes are much...
Lytic Cycle of Bacteriophages01:30

Lytic Cycle of Bacteriophages

Bacteriophages, also known as phages, are specialized viruses that infect bacteria. A key characteristic of phages is their distinctive “head-tail” morphology. A phage begins the infection process (i.e., lytic cycle) by attaching to the outside of a bacterial cell. Attachment is accomplished via proteins in the phage tail that bind to specific receptor proteins on the outer surface of the bacterium. The tail injects the phage’s DNA genome into the bacterial cytoplasm. In the lytic replication...
Lysogenic Cycle of Bacteriophages00:43

Lysogenic Cycle of Bacteriophages

In contrast to the lytic cycle, phages infecting bacteria via the lysogenic cycle do not immediately kill their host cell. Instead, they combine their genome with the host genome, allowing the bacteria to replicate the phage DNA along with the bacterial genome. The incorporated copy of the phage genome is called the prophage. Some prophages can re-activate and enter the lytic cycle. This often occurs in response to a perturbation, such as DNA damage, but can also transpire in the absence of...
DNA Bacteriophages01:26

DNA Bacteriophages

Bacteriophages, or phages, are viruses that specifically infect bacteria, utilizing their genetic material to hijack host cellular machinery for replication. DNA bacteriophages employ single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) or double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) genomes. These phages exhibit diverse replication strategies and host interactions, influencing their ecological roles and applications in biotechnology and medicine.ssDNA BacteriophagesssDNA phages, with their small genomes, utilize unique strategies to...
Human Virome01:26

Human Virome

The human body harbors a vast and diverse viral community known as the human virome. The virome includes bacteriophages that infect bacteria, and eukaryotic viruses that infect human cells. Transient dietary and environmental viruses also contribute to this dynamic ecosystem. Estimates suggest the human body may contain on the order of 10¹³ viral particles, though abundance varies widely by body site and detection method.Comprehensive characterization of the virome has become possible only with...