Isolation of Bacteriophages found in the Larval Stage of the Western Bean Cutworm

Presenter Information

Kiera NelsonFollow

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.

This document is currently not available here.

COinS
 
Mar 24th, 1:00 PM Mar 24th, 2:15 PM

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.