Exploration of K2 Mycobacteriophages with BRED​

Colby Agostino ’22 Major: Biochemistry and Computer Science Olivia Schmitt ’22 Major: Biochemistry Faculty Mentor: Dr. Kathleen A. Cornely, Chemistry and Biochemistry ZoeJ and Marcoliusprime are mycobacteriophage capable of infecting tuberculosis causing bacteria via the lytic and lysogenic cycles. The lytic cycle is the form of viral replication that results in cell death. Lysogeny involves phage DNA being integrated with the DNA of the host cell and preserved through binary fission. However, the bacteria causing tuberculosis do not die in the lysogenic phase. This research project will involve creating mutants of ZoeJ and Marcoliusprime that will not contain the genes facilitating lysogeny. The mutation of the phage genomes will be accomplished via a BRED, bacteriophage recombineering with electroporated DNA