Isolation of Bacteriophages found in the Larval Stage of the Western Bean Cutworm
Presenter Type
UNO Undergraduate Student
Major/Field of Study
Biology
Other
Molecular and Biomedical Biology
Advisor Information
Dr. Paul Ayayee https://www.unomaha.edu/college-of-arts-and-sciences/biology/about-us/directory/paul-ayayee.php
Location
MBSC Ballroom Poster # 906 - U
Presentation Type
Poster
Start Date
24-3-2023 1:00 PM
End Date
24-3-2023 2:15 PM
Abstract
Researcher: Kiera Nelson
Presentation Title: Isolation of Bacteriophages found in the Larval Stage of the Western Bean Cutworm
Research Focus: Biology
School: University of Nebraska - Omaha
Presentation Type: Poster Presentation
Abstract:
Isolation of Bacteriophages found in the Larval Stage of the Western Bean Cutworm
Kiera Nelson, Dr. Paul Ayayee, University of Nebraska at Omaha (NE, USA)
The Western Bean Cutworm, Striacosta albicosta (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is a common corn and dry bean pest, usually found in the western Corn Belt (Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Wisconsin). Although recent scouts have found the S. albicosta moving eastward affecting crops in other states such as Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio. As with most organisms, the three life stages of this organism have differing gut microbiome makeups. Previous studies have found that the gut microbiome of the larval stage of S. albicosta is almost exclusively made up of members of the bacterial phylum, Firmicutes phylum (unassigned Lactobacillales). These studies suggest a likelihood of using stage-specific bacteriophages as biological control agents of the Western Bean Cutworm (WBC). Bacteriophages are viruses that can be utilized to target and kill specific bacteria, like unassigned Lactobacillales in larval WBC, which can lead to negative developmental effects on the host. The goal of this project is to isolate Lactobacillales in the gut of larval S. albicosta, through a series of plating on both Lactobacillus agar and Luria Broth (LB) agar. Next, we intend to use these isolated bacteria to isolate bacteriophages from the gut of larval WBC. Currently, we have 16 bacterial isolates in glycerol stock, 6 of which were originally grown on Lactobacillus agar and 10 on Luria Broth (LB) agar. The next step in this project involves screening these bacterial isolates for Lactobacillus phages.
Scheduling
1-2:15 p.m., 2:30 -3:45 p.m.
Isolation of Bacteriophages found in the Larval Stage of the Western Bean Cutworm
MBSC Ballroom Poster # 906 - U
Researcher: Kiera Nelson
Presentation Title: Isolation of Bacteriophages found in the Larval Stage of the Western Bean Cutworm
Research Focus: Biology
School: University of Nebraska - Omaha
Presentation Type: Poster Presentation
Abstract:
Isolation of Bacteriophages found in the Larval Stage of the Western Bean Cutworm
Kiera Nelson, Dr. Paul Ayayee, University of Nebraska at Omaha (NE, USA)
The Western Bean Cutworm, Striacosta albicosta (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is a common corn and dry bean pest, usually found in the western Corn Belt (Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Wisconsin). Although recent scouts have found the S. albicosta moving eastward affecting crops in other states such as Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio. As with most organisms, the three life stages of this organism have differing gut microbiome makeups. Previous studies have found that the gut microbiome of the larval stage of S. albicosta is almost exclusively made up of members of the bacterial phylum, Firmicutes phylum (unassigned Lactobacillales). These studies suggest a likelihood of using stage-specific bacteriophages as biological control agents of the Western Bean Cutworm (WBC). Bacteriophages are viruses that can be utilized to target and kill specific bacteria, like unassigned Lactobacillales in larval WBC, which can lead to negative developmental effects on the host. The goal of this project is to isolate Lactobacillales in the gut of larval S. albicosta, through a series of plating on both Lactobacillus agar and Luria Broth (LB) agar. Next, we intend to use these isolated bacteria to isolate bacteriophages from the gut of larval WBC. Currently, we have 16 bacterial isolates in glycerol stock, 6 of which were originally grown on Lactobacillus agar and 10 on Luria Broth (LB) agar. The next step in this project involves screening these bacterial isolates for Lactobacillus phages.