Bacteriophages for gut-associated bacteria

Oke, Miles Oladapo (2023) Bacteriophages for gut-associated bacteria. Masters thesis, University of East Anglia.

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Abstract

The human gut microbiome hosts a complex and dynamic community of microorganisms that have been shown to play key roles in many biological processes. Amongst these microorganisms are bacteriophages (hereafter also referred to as phages), bacterial-infecting viruses that drive bacterial composition and diversity. Phages have seen a renewed interest within the last two decades as an alternative treatment for combatting antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Much remains to be discovered about phage dynamics, their interactions within the human microbiome and more. They currently represent promising potential in phage therapy against bacterial infections, AMR, and food biocontrol. Bacteriophages, and the wider gut virome, represent a pivotal, albeit complicated, part of shedding light on the human gut microbiome and delivering new therapies for human health.

The aim of my research described in this thesis was two-fold: (1) to isolate and characterise novel bacteriophages for Enterobacter cloacae (E. cloacae) NC10005 and (2) to apply the previous methodology to isolate and characterise novel bacteriophages for Ruminococcus gnavus (R. gnavus), and to use these phages to investigate their use in treating associated bacterial infections and modulating the gut microbiota.

In summary, I have isolated and characterised three phages targeting E. cloacae NC10005: MO1, MO2 and MO3. I have also characterised these phages by demonstrating an expanded host-range; assembling and annotating their genomes; proposing taxonomy and undergoing a comparative genomics analysis. I have also developed a protocol for the isolation of phages for R. gnavus, of which I used to successfully isolate four phages targeting R. gnavus CC55_001C: MOR1, MOR2, MOR3, and MOR4. The work undertaken provides scope for expanding knowledge of bacteriophages of E. cloacae and providing a foundation for future isolation of phages targeting R. gnavus and anaerobic bacteria.

Item Type:	Thesis (Masters)
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Science > School of Biological Sciences
Depositing User:	Chris White
Date Deposited:	21 May 2024 10:07
Last Modified:	21 May 2024 10:07
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/95251
DOI:

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