Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 6, 2026
09:40
Phage Phenomics: Physiological Approaches to Characterize Novel Viral Proteins
Published on: June 11, 2015
Pharky, Phedro, Phractured, and StagePhright: complete genome sequences of four EK2 cluster Microbacterium phages
Susan M R Gurney1, Medha Gupta2, Deeksha Reddy3
1School of Biology, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Scotland, United Kingdom.
Microbiology Resource Announcements
|July 17, 2026
Abstract:
We report the complete genome sequence of four Microbacterium phages, Pharky, Phedro, Phractured, and StagePhright, isolated using the bacterial host Microbacterium foliorum from soil samples collected in Philadelphia. All four phages are genetically very similar and contain a gene of unknown function, which is uncommon in the EK2 cluster.
Insights
Researchers sequenced four Microbacterium phages from Philadelphia soil. These phages, Pharky, Phedro, Phractured, and StagePhright, share high genetic similarity and an unusual gene of unknown function within the EK2 cluster.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Genomics
- Virology
Background:
- Bacteriophages are viruses that infect bacteria and play crucial roles in microbial ecosystems.
- The EK2 cluster comprises bacteriophages with specific genomic characteristics.
- Microbacterium foliorum is a bacterial species found in soil environments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the complete genome sequences of four novel Microbacterium phages.
- To analyze the genetic relatedness of these phages.
- To identify unique genetic elements within the sequenced phage genomes.
Main Methods:
- Isolation of bacteriophages from soil samples.
- Whole-genome sequencing of the isolated phages.
- Bioinformatic analysis for genome comparison and gene identification.
Main Results:
- Complete genome sequences were obtained for four Microbacterium phages: Pharky, Phedro, Phractured, and StagePhright.
- All four phages exhibited high genetic similarity to each other.
- A gene of unknown function was identified in all four phages, a feature uncommon in the EK2 cluster.
Conclusions:
- The sequenced Microbacterium phages represent a genetically homogeneous group.
- The presence of a gene of unknown function highlights potential novel biological roles within this phage group.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the function of the identified uncommon gene.
Related Concept Videos
01:26DNA 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...
01:30Lytic 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...
01:20Viral Replication: Lytic Cycle
Bacteriophages, or phages, are viruses that specifically infect bacteria. Among them, T-even bacteriophages, such as T4, exhibit a well-characterized lytic replication cycle in Escherichia coli (E. coli). This process ensures the rapid proliferation of the virus while ultimately leading to the destruction of the bacterial host.Attachment and DNA InjectionThe infection process begins with the recognition and binding of the T4 phage to the E. coli cell surface. Tail fibers of the phage...
01:23Bacteriophages of the Human Virome
Bacteriophages are found throughout the human body. They may even outnumber eukaryotic viruses, forming an important and dynamic component of the human virome. Indeed, phages represent the most abundant viral entities, with densities in the gut reaching up to 10⁹ particles per gram of fecal matter, and many belonging to orders such as Caudovirales and Microviridae, while a substantial proportion remains unclassified as viral “dark matter.”Lysogeny and Genetic ExchangeIn the gut, bacteriophages...
00:43Lysogenic 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...
01:28Microbial Phylogeny
Understanding the evolutionary relationships among microorganisms is fundamental to microbial ecology and taxonomy. Phylogenetic trees are essential tools for inferring these relationships, relying primarily on comparative analyses of molecular sequences such as DNA, RNA, or proteins. In microbial studies, these trees typically depict the evolutionary paths of diverse bacterial and archaeal species by mapping genetic differences accumulated over time.Phylogenetic trees are composed of tips,...