Jumbo Phages In Translational Enzyme Research

Introduction

Jumbo phages are large viruses of prokaryotes with 200 to 800 kilo base-pair (kb) genomes, well beyond the size of small phages that average around 50 kb. While investigation of small phages over the last century has transformed fundamental and translational biosciences, jumbo phages research is only in its infancy.

Current Knowledge

The majority of jumbo phage genes are uncharacterized and cannot be annotated by comparative genomics. Thus, it is unknown how the genes function in jumbo phage biology. Importantly, jumbo phages generally carry genes to take over their hosts' transcriptional and translational machinery, in addition to harboring factors that may modify and degrade nucleic acids.

Research Gaps

Many of the unannotated genes might have similar characteristics, which could be exploited for translational enzyme research. However, those genes remain experimentally under-explored.

Project Hypothesis

The JUPITER project tests the hypothesis that some of the uncharacterized genes have properties that affect their hosts' transcriptional and translational machinery, and that some of the gene products could modify or degrade nucleic acids.

Methodology

Using an innovative high-throughput in vitro characterization strategy, I will experimentally annotate gene products of unknown function according to their ability to catalyze the above-mentioned reactions. Known and novel jumbo phages will be isolated and characterized to expand our current knowledge of jumbo phage biology.

Characterization of Factors

Promising candidate factors will be characterized in vitro and in vivo to understand their function and to facilitate translational enzyme research.

Expected Outcomes

My results will provide:

1. An innovative method for experimental gene annotation, unraveling new mechanisms in jumbo phage biology.
2. An expansion of the available jumbo phage diversity.
3. Detailed insights into the function of novel factors, unlocking future translational applications in biotechnology.