Discovery and Genome Annotation of Tuti and Charminar: Two Newly Discovered Gordonia rubripertincta Bacteriophages
Abstract
As the most abundant organisms, bacteria are both beneficial and harmful, highlighting the significance of regulating their growth. Bacteriophages (phages) are ubiquitous viruses that require a host bacterial organism for replication, making them an essential component of the microbial ecosystem and used as tools for killing bacteria. Since their discovery in 1915, phages have been used in real-world applications including alternatives to antibiotics, diagnostic agents, pest control in agriculture, wastewater treatment, and bioremediation. Since bacteriophages remain mostly undiscovered, continued isolation and genetic characterization of novel phages are essential for advancing scientific knowledge and potential applications. Through Nova Southeastern University's SEA-PHAGES (Science Education Alliance-Phage Hunters Advancing Genomics and Evolutionary Science) program, we discovered two new bacteriophages that infect Gordonia rubripertincta NRRL B-16540, a gram-positive soil bacterium that degrades hydrocarbons and acts as an opportunistic pathogen. Soil samples collected at NSU were filtered and enriched using the host bacterium, followed by spot testing and rounds of plaque purification to isolate two new phages: Tuti and Charminar. Using DNA isolation and Illumina NextSeq 1000, the sequences were auto-annotated using PECAAN, and manually refined with GeneMark, Glimmer, Phamerator, BLAST, and HHPred. Based on the sequencing data, Tuti was from Cluster CZ4, has a genome length of 48,255 nucleotides, and contains ~79 genes. In contrast, Charminar was from Cluster DV, has a genome length of 64,844 nucleotides, and contains ~95 genes. These newly discovered bacteriophages will be added to the Actinobacteriophage Database (https://phagesdb.org) for their possible applications of treating Gordonia rubripertincta infections and bioremediation.
Faculty Sponsors
Dr. Katie Crump, Dr. Julie Torruellas Garcia
Project Type
Event
Location
Alvin Sherman Library
Start Date
4-1-2026 12:00 AM
End Date
4-2-2026 12:00 AM
Discovery and Genome Annotation of Tuti and Charminar: Two Newly Discovered Gordonia rubripertincta Bacteriophages
Alvin Sherman Library
As the most abundant organisms, bacteria are both beneficial and harmful, highlighting the significance of regulating their growth. Bacteriophages (phages) are ubiquitous viruses that require a host bacterial organism for replication, making them an essential component of the microbial ecosystem and used as tools for killing bacteria. Since their discovery in 1915, phages have been used in real-world applications including alternatives to antibiotics, diagnostic agents, pest control in agriculture, wastewater treatment, and bioremediation. Since bacteriophages remain mostly undiscovered, continued isolation and genetic characterization of novel phages are essential for advancing scientific knowledge and potential applications. Through Nova Southeastern University's SEA-PHAGES (Science Education Alliance-Phage Hunters Advancing Genomics and Evolutionary Science) program, we discovered two new bacteriophages that infect Gordonia rubripertincta NRRL B-16540, a gram-positive soil bacterium that degrades hydrocarbons and acts as an opportunistic pathogen. Soil samples collected at NSU were filtered and enriched using the host bacterium, followed by spot testing and rounds of plaque purification to isolate two new phages: Tuti and Charminar. Using DNA isolation and Illumina NextSeq 1000, the sequences were auto-annotated using PECAAN, and manually refined with GeneMark, Glimmer, Phamerator, BLAST, and HHPred. Based on the sequencing data, Tuti was from Cluster CZ4, has a genome length of 48,255 nucleotides, and contains ~79 genes. In contrast, Charminar was from Cluster DV, has a genome length of 64,844 nucleotides, and contains ~95 genes. These newly discovered bacteriophages will be added to the Actinobacteriophage Database (https://phagesdb.org) for their possible applications of treating Gordonia rubripertincta infections and bioremediation.
