Phage Hunt - Finding Bacteriophages for Pseudomonas Aeruginosa

Abstract

This report describes Phage Hunt, an undergraduate research project aimed at finding bacteriophages of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, developing and describing the optimum lab protocol, lab inventory list and all pitfalls encountered in the process. The result of the research was that twelve bacteriophages were identified along with five host bacteria. All materials and methods were recorded and described in detail and recorded in the format of a practical laboratory handbook for detecting, handling, propagating and storing bacteriophages for Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The bacteriophages that were identified in the process were produced in high concentration. The titer and host range were determined and the phage was stored as frozen samples along with their host bacteria. Electron microscopy was carried out on two of the samples, showing phage particles and pyocins.