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"Phagedigging" - Introducing Students to Biological Research by Dr. Marisa Pedulla
Dr. Pedulla's research interests are focused on the discovery and characterization of mycobacteriophages, viruses that attack bacteria. This area of research has been critical to the development of molecular biology and the current level of understanding about bacterial and viral evolution. Many phage-based discoveries have also contributed to the advancement of the biotechnology industry and provided diagnostic and therapeutic tools necessary for combatting human diseases.
Aside from her teaching and research responsibilities, Dr. Pedulla is extremely active with her scientific outreach "Phagedigging" program. This program is designed to use phage research processes to introduce high school students to the exploratory process of scientific inquiry. Over the three years, 35 phages have been discovered through this effort and the researchers in her lab are actively working to characterize them for future research activities.
Bacteriophages, tiny viruses that infect bacteria, can be isolated from environmental soil and water samples using introductory microbiological techniques that are tractable to high school, middle school, and even grade school students. The number of bacteriophages on earth is astounding; at 1031, they outnumber all other living organisms combined. Their vast numbers and great genomic diversity means that no identical phages have ever been independently isolated. Anyone who is provided some simple instruction and a few inexpensive supplies can discover a virus previously unknown to science. Beyond simple discovery the biological, genetic, biochemical, molecular, and bioinformatic characterization provide ample material for scientists of every level, including Nobel laureates. (Classic experiments with phages demonstrated that DNA is the genetic material and their gene products provided the tools that allow DNA cloning, the foundation of molecular biology).
Elementary students collect and filter soil samples in a classroom, mentored through their phage discovery by undergraduate researchers. High school teachers join the University lab. Undergraduates in a molecular biology laboratory class clone and express phage gene products for structural analysis. They are connected by the curiosity to learn about the world, and phages provide the bridge. Interacting as collaborating scientists, we are pursuing the biological secrets of the phages, and sharing the joy of scientific discovery. |
Bacteriophage SKC-1, isolated by undergraduate students and studied at Montana Tech