Abstract
Helicosporidium are parasitic, non-photosynthetic green algae shown to have potential in providing biological control against mosquito larvae. By determining where Helicosporidium resides, this organism can be more abundantly studied to gain a better understanding of its life cycle, transmission, and potential effects as biological control agents. Therefore, the isolation and study of Helicosporidium shows promise in the fields of biology and environmental science. In this research project, environmental water samples were obtained and analyzed to determine if any Helicosporidium inhabited the sample. Using a metagenomics approach, DNA extraction of all the microorganisms residing in the water samples were conducted followed by Polymerase chain reactions. Primers that specifically target a nucleotide sequence unique to the Helicosporidium species were used to amplify the 18S rDNA gene from several metagenomic DNA preparations. Through these molecular techniques, the presence of Helicosporidium species in the water samples was determined.
Faculty Sponsors
Dr. Aurelien Tartar
Project Type
Event
Location
Alvin Sherman Library
Start Date
4-3-2009 12:00 AM
End Date
4-3-2009 12:00 AM
Metagenomic Analysis to Determine Habitat and Abundance of Helicosporidium
Alvin Sherman Library
Helicosporidium are parasitic, non-photosynthetic green algae shown to have potential in providing biological control against mosquito larvae. By determining where Helicosporidium resides, this organism can be more abundantly studied to gain a better understanding of its life cycle, transmission, and potential effects as biological control agents. Therefore, the isolation and study of Helicosporidium shows promise in the fields of biology and environmental science. In this research project, environmental water samples were obtained and analyzed to determine if any Helicosporidium inhabited the sample. Using a metagenomics approach, DNA extraction of all the microorganisms residing in the water samples were conducted followed by Polymerase chain reactions. Primers that specifically target a nucleotide sequence unique to the Helicosporidium species were used to amplify the 18S rDNA gene from several metagenomic DNA preparations. Through these molecular techniques, the presence of Helicosporidium species in the water samples was determined.
