Complete genome sequence of the bacteriophage Amabiko.

Amabiko is a lytic subcluster BE2 bacteriophage that infects -a bacterium causing common scab in potatoes. Its 131,414 bp genome has a GC content of 49.5% and contains 245 putative protein-coding genes, 45 tRNAs, and one tmRNA.

Complete genome and characteristics of cluster BC bacteriophage SoJo, isolated using NRRL B-2400 in Columbia, MD.

Here, we present bacteriophage SoJo, a siphovirus infecting , with a circularly permuted genome of 39 kbp and GC content of 71.5%. Its genome length and content are similar to that of other phages in the Actinobacteriophage Database BC cluster.

Simultaneous entry as an adaptation to virulence in a novel satellite-helper system infecting Streptomyces species.

Satellites are mobile genetic elements that are dependent upon the replication machinery of their helper viruses. Bacteriophages have provided many examples of satellite nucleic acids that utilize their helper morphogenic genes for propagation. Here we describe two novel satellite-helper phage systems, Mulch and Flayer, that infect Streptomyces species.

Genome sequence of BM cluster phage Frankenweenie.

Frankenweenie is a newly isolated bacteriophage that infects RL-34. Frankenweenie was discovered in Gaithersburg, MD, and has 366 genes comprising a 200,048-bp genome. Frankenweenie is grouped in cluster BM and is predicted to possess a unique tailspike protein that potentially widens its host range.

Evidence of a Set of Core-Function Genes in 16 Bacillus Podoviral Genomes with Considerable Genomic Diversity.

Bacteriophage genomes represent an enormous level of genetic diversity and provide considerable potential to acquire new insights about viral genome evolution. In this study, the genome sequences of sixteen -infecting bacteriophages were explored through comparative genomics approaches to reveal shared and unique characteristics. These bacteriophages are in the family with small (18,548-27,206 bp) double-stranded DNA genomes encoding 25-46 predicted open reading frames.

Models of Classroom Assessment for Course-Based Research Experiences.

Course-based research pedagogy involves positioning students as contributors to authentic research projects as part of an engaging educational experience that promotes their learning and persistence in science. To develop a model for assessing and grading students engaged in this type of learning experience, the assessment aims and practices of a community of experienced course-based research instructors were collected and analyzed. This approach defines four aims of course-based research assessment - 1) Assessing Laboratory Work and Scientific Thinking; 2) Evaluating Mastery of Concepts, Quantitative Thinking and Skills; 3) Appraising Forms of Scientific Communication; and 4) Metacognition of Learning - along with a set of practices for each aim.

Genome Sequences of Bacteriophages Fabian, FlowerPower, Geostin, RetrieverFever, and Vorvolakos.

This paper reports the genome sequences of five bacteriophages that were isolated using Streptomyces scabiei. Phages Fabian, FlowerPower, Geostin, RetrieverFever, and Vorvolakos were assigned to actinobacteriophage cluster BF based on shared gene content, with each phage containing between 16 and 21 tRNA genes.

Complete Genome Sequences of Bacteriophages Annihilus, TonyStarch, Thiqqums, CricKo, ClubPenguin, RosaAsantewaa, and PherryCruz.

Seven siphoviruses were isolated from soil using hosts. Their genome sequences ranged from 42,730 to 57,624 bp long and had a GC content of approximately 60%. Based on their gene content similarity to actinobacteriophages, all seven phages were assigned to cluster BI.

The transcriptional regulator CtrA controls gene expression in Alphaproteobacteria phages: Evidence for a lytic deferment pathway.

Pilitropic and flagellotropic phages adsorb to bacterial pili and flagella. These phages have long been used to investigate multiple aspects of bacterial physiology, such as the cell cycle control in the Caulobacterales. Targeting cellular appendages for adsorption effectively constrains the population of infectable hosts, suggesting that phages may have developed strategies to maximize their infective yield.

Crowdsourcing biocuration: The Community Assessment of Community Annotation with Ontologies (CACAO).

Experimental data about gene functions curated from the primary literature have enormous value for research scientists in understanding biology. Using the Gene Ontology (GO), manual curation by experts has provided an important resource for studying gene function, especially within model organisms. Unprecedented expansion of the scientific literature and validation of the predicted proteins have increased both data value and the challenges of keeping pace.

A Novel Genus of Actinobacterial Tectiviridae.

and are two novel members of the family. These phages were isolated on cultures of the plant pathogen , known for its worldwide economic impact on potato crops. Transmission electron microscopy showed viral particles with double-layered icosahedral capsids, and frequent instances of protruding nanotubes harboring a collar-like structure.

Complete Genome Sequences of Six BI Cluster Bacteriophages, HotFries, Moozy, Rainydai, RavenPuff, Scap1, and SenditCS.

Six double-stranded DNA Streptomyces bacteriophages, HotFries, Moozy, RavenPuff, Scap1, Rainydai, and SenditCS, were isolated using the phytopathogen Streptomyces scabiei as a host. These phages have been identified as and members of cluster BI by genomic analysis.

Complete Genome Sequences of HonestAbe, Anthony, and Taffo16, Three Cluster C Bacillus cereus Group Bacteriophages.

Three cluster C bacteriophages that infect group bacteria were isolated from soil collected in the mid-Atlantic region using subsp. as a host. phages HonestAbe, Anthony, and Taffo16 each shared 90% or higher average nucleotide identities within their subclusters.

Complete Genome Sequence of Bacteriophage Abt2graduatex2.

The bacteriophage Abt2graduatex2 is a double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) isolated from soil collected in Baltimore, MD, and harvested using subsp. Abt2graduatex2, a cluster BG phage, encodes an HicA-like toxin.

Group Bacteriophage Flapjack Genome Sequence.

The group bacteriophage Flapjack, a double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) isolate collected from soil collected in Washington, DC, is a member of cluster C3 and encodes an intramolecular chaperone-containing tail fiber protein previously found in and but not annotated in the .

Complete Genome Sequences of Three phi29-Like Group .

Three double-stranded DNA phi29-like group bacteriophages, BeachBum, Harambe, and SerPounce, were identified and characterized. BeachBum and Harambe are closely related but are remarkably different from previously identified phi29-like phages. SerPounce is substantially closer to other phi29-like phages, enabling the identification of its prohead RNA (pRNA) gene.

Complete Genome Sequence of the Streptomyces Phage Nanodon.

Streptomyces phage Nanodon is a temperate double-stranded DNA Siphoviridae belonging to cluster BD1. It was isolated from soil collected in Kilauea, HI, using Streptomyces griseus subsp. griseus as a host.

Genome Sequence of Bacillus cereus Group Phage SalinJah.

The double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) Myoviridae Bacillus cereus group bacteriophage SalinJah was isolated from soil collected in Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. SalinJah, a cluster C phage with a broad host range, suggests the need to create a new subcluster with SalinJah and Helga as founding members.

Genome Sequences of Two Bacillus cereus Group Bacteriophages, Eyuki and AvesoBmore.

The genomes of two double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) bacteriophages isolated on Bacillus thuringiensis show similarity to previously sequenced phages and provide evidence of the mosaicism of phage genomes.

Complete Genome Sequence of Bacillus cereus Group Phage TsarBomba.

The Bacillus cereus group bacteriophage TsarBomba, a double-stranded DNA Myoviridae, was isolated from soil collected in Saratov, Russia. TsarBomba was found to be similar to Bacillus phages BCP78 and BCU4, and to have a wide host range among Bacillus cereus group species.

A broadly implementable research course in phage discovery and genomics for first-year undergraduate students.

Unlabelled: Engaging large numbers of undergraduates in authentic scientific discovery is desirable but difficult to achieve. We have developed a general model in which faculty and teaching assistants from diverse academic institutions are trained to teach a research course for first-year undergraduate students focused on bacteriophage discovery and genomics. The course is situated within a broader scientific context aimed at understanding viral diversity, such that faculty and students are collaborators with established researchers in the field.