08. Characterization of Pleomorphic Bacteriophage and their Endolysin Proteins using Arthrobacter globiformis

Abstract

Antibiotic resistance continues to be a growing problem. Both bacteriophage and their endolysin proteins have shown promise as effective antibacterial agents against antibiotic resistant bacteria. As such, we have proposed to study the viral and host interactions between two novel bacteriophages and the pleomorphic host Arthrobacter globiformis. In addition, we intend to annotate the genomes of these bacteriophages to predict and locate gene candidates for the endolysin protein in order to study how this protein plays a role in lysing both gram positive and negative bacterial cell walls. Preliminary research has been conducted to both assess the growth kinetics of the bacterial host as well as to determine its morphologies throughout that growth. Likewise, two novel bacteriophages have been isolated from the soil and purified with the intention of isolating DNA to be sequenced. We have thus far confirmed that the host bacteria, A. globiformis, completes a growth curve of 36 hours with the lag phase between hour 0 and 20, the log phase between hour 20 and 36, and the stationary phase between 36 and 44. Furthermore, A. globiformis expresses a gram-positive cocci structure during the lag and stationary phase and a gram-negative bacilli structure during the log phase.