Líffræðifélag Íslands - biologia.is
Líffræðiráðstefnan 2019
Erindi/veggspjald / Talk/poster V23
Höfundar / Authors: Ilmur Jónsdóttir (1,2), Justine Vanhalst (2), Snædís Huld Björnsdóttir (1), Guðmundur Óli Hreggviðsson (1,2)
Starfsvettvangur / Affiliations: 1. Háskóli Íslands 2. Matís Ohf
Kynnir / Presenter: Ilmur Jónsdóttir
In this study we are investigating thermophilic viruses that infect species and strains of the genus Thermus. Analysis of host ranges is being done on twenty-two Thermus strains from twelve species, originating from Iceland and abroad. The plaque assay method is used for viral, cross infection trials and liquid culture lysates for pfu titrations in order to evaluate infection intensity. Genomes of the hosts have been sequenced and partial genome sequences have been obtained for the Thermus viruses. Nanopore and illumina sequencing will be done on all strains to obtain complete genome sequences. The genome sequence information will be used to analyse CRISPR-, anti-CRISPR- and other defence- and anti-defence systems of the hosts and viruses. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) will be utilized to image the viruses to allow for characterization and classification of the virus strains based on morphology. This study is ongoing and the results from this research will be used further in the Virus-X (H2020) project which aims to expand the knowledge of the world‘s virosphere and develop novel viral enzymes for use in genetic engineering.