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Biochemical and Molecular Characterization of Mycobacteriophage Shabema Abstract Bacteriophages are viruses of bacteria. Researchers have used phages as tools in recombinant DNA research and medical diagnostics. They are also exploring the use of these phages as tools in the fight against pathogenic bacteria such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the causative agent of TB, and even using critical segments of their DNA (e.g., integrase genes) as tools for effectively altering the genome of bacteria and mammalian cells (e.g., gene therapy). Understanding which phages offer these types of opportunities requires an in-depth analysis of the genomic and proteomic characteristics of each individual phage and comparisons of that data to that of known biomolecular structures and functions. In the course of investigating mycobacteriophage Shabema during previous research efforts, high-titer stocks were grown to allow molecular and biochemical characterizations, including genomic comparisons, protein expression, and electron microscopy. This follow-on study will provide the critical biochemical and molecular information necessary to allow comparisons to highly characterized phages, including several that have biomedical applications and to help locate the likely sequence coding for genes of interest. Knowledge gained from this study may assist in the development of additional phage-based diagnostic and therapeutic applications. Biography
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