Progress Toward Developing a Generalized Transductional System in Bdellvibrio Bacteriovorus

Abstract

Our lab is interested in developing a generalized transductional system for Bdellovibrio using a bacteriophage called mombo1 (isolated by Mark O. Martin & Bentley Fane, U. of Arizona). Transduction occurs when developing phage particles mistakenly incorporate bacterial DNA into the phage head, causing that phage to then act as a vector to transfer genetic material between bacteria. Bacterial gene transfer, with methods such as conjugation and transformation, is difficult to achieve with wild-type Bdellovibrio due to its predatory nature.This makes transduction a very promising tool, if an efficient system is found. In an attempt to make transduction more efficient, we are currently exploring ways to decrease progeny phage kill. As of now we have washed the phage and treated them with UV irradiation, but we are going to explore treatment with sodium-citrate and EDTA. Once the levels of progeny phage kill are decreased, transduction will be an easy and efficient way to transfer genes in Bdellovibrio .