Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Date of Degree

9-2015

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Ph.D.

Program

Biology

Advisor

John J. Dennehy

Subject Categories

Biology | Virology

Keywords

bacteriophage; cystoviridae; host legacy effect; phenotypic shift; Pseudomonas; Φ6

Abstract

The Pseudomonas bacteriophage Φ6 has a long and well-established history as a model organism. Here we describe a set of experiments to extend this model system to concepts previously unclaimed. Chapter 1 presents a brief background of the ecology of viruses that infect microorganisms. Chapter 2 examines genetic mutations allowing for host range expansion. Chapter 3 presents a novel paired strain assay to study how a non genetic host-acquired factor affects fitness of these enveloped viruses on subsequent hosts. Chapter 4 is an extension of this system to include how the bacteria host is affected in virus-host coevolution.

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