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Updated: May 20, 2025
09:40
Phage Phenomics: Physiological Approaches to Characterize Novel Viral Proteins
Published on: June 11, 2015
12.1K
Genome Sequence and Characterization of Coliphage Môr Ffagbaw.
Nerissa E Thomas1, Nzubechukwu Innocent Ugokwe2, Andrew Kinsella2
1Swansea University Medical School, Swansea University, Swansea, United Kingdom.
PHAGE (New Rochelle, N.Y.)
|March 26, 2025
Summary
Coastal water quality is a concern. Researchers characterized a new coliphage, môr ffagbaw, using genomic sequencing, revealing its narrow host range and potential as a water quality indicator.
Area of Science:
- Environmental microbiology
- Virology
Background:
- UK coastal water quality is declining due to wastewater discharge.
- Coliphages are viruses infecting bacteria, linked to water quality but poorly understood genetically.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize a newly isolated coliphage, môr ffagbaw.
- To assess its genomic features and host range.
Main Methods:
- Isolation of môr ffagbaw from seawater using enrichment and plaque assays.
- Whole genome sequencing, transmission electron microscopy, and host range analysis against 72 Escherichia coli reference strains.
Main Results:
- Môr ffagbaw exhibits siphovirus morphology and belongs to the Drexlerviridae family, Tempevirinae subfamily, and Hanrivervirus genus.
- Phage môr ffagbaw successfully formed plaques on 8% of tested Escherichia coli strains, indicating a narrow host range.
Conclusions:
- Môr ffagbaw represents a novel species within the Hanrivervirus genus.
- The phage's narrow host range has implications for its use as a specific water quality indicator.
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