The PhageCam Project

Abstract

Time lapse photography, in conjunction with TEM and SEM analysis, indicate patterns in plaque formation, as well as correlations between macroscopic plaque morphology and microscopic plaque morphology. Finally, these techniques attempt to determine patterns in plaque formation over time, with particular interest in target/bulleye morphologies. Our Mycobacteria-phage samples were produced following NGRI Phage Hunters protocols. The medium is M. Smegmatis in Agar.

Sample Studied

This phage sample was captured, purified, and processed by Ian Bayles at Carnegie Mellon University, on 8/28/08, in a muddy environment. The sample was taken in Pittsburgh, PA It has been given the designation 2008CAMUIsland3IB. Click the image to enlarge it.

TimeLapse Video

For better or worse, these are the videos we produced. Files are compressed to save bandwidth.

1. IanB1.
2. IanB2. (Shot through magnifying glass. A good idea, but less successful execution.)

Electron Microscopy

1. IanB TEM at x300k (PTA)
2. IanB TEM at x300k (PTA)
3. IanB TEM at x300k (PTA)
4. MJR SEM (This sample, 2008CAMUReissTargetMJR, is similar morphologically to Ian's sample.)

DNA Sequencing

Preliminary data suggests we have captured a phage related to Brujita, another phage that has been captured and partially characterized. Only 2 members of this family of phage have been documented until now. (2/3/09)

Links

• Howard Hughes Medical Institute (SeaWIKI)
• Permalink for this website