Major
Biology
Anticipated Graduation Year
2026
Access Type
Open Access
Abstract
Bacteriophages, or phages, are viruses that target bacteria. Lytic phages cause the bacteria to lyse (cell death). Klebsiella pneumoniae is a bacterium that is associated with severe urinary tract infections. Some K. pneumoniae are hypervirulent—causing difficult-to-treat infections. Lytic phages of K. pneumoniae can functionally limit bacteria populations. This project explores this dynamic. Strains of K. pneumoniae were mixed with soft agar and poured onto LB plates. The viruses were then spotted in the soft agar cultures. Lysis of bacteria causes clearings after virus introduction. Successful phages could be used in a clinical setting as infection treatment.
Faculty Mentors & Instructors
Catherine Putonti, PhD
Supported By
Maria Steiling
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License.
Exploring Host Range of Klebsiella pneumonia
Bacteriophages, or phages, are viruses that target bacteria. Lytic phages cause the bacteria to lyse (cell death). Klebsiella pneumoniae is a bacterium that is associated with severe urinary tract infections. Some K. pneumoniae are hypervirulent—causing difficult-to-treat infections. Lytic phages of K. pneumoniae can functionally limit bacteria populations. This project explores this dynamic. Strains of K. pneumoniae were mixed with soft agar and poured onto LB plates. The viruses were then spotted in the soft agar cultures. Lysis of bacteria causes clearings after virus introduction. Successful phages could be used in a clinical setting as infection treatment.