SCENE

Winter

2017

For Friends and Alumni

STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK

Biology Students Participate in National Genomics Research Project

The “ Phage Hunters ” are a group of first-year science students at RCC whose research in phage biology contributes directly to the scientific community . Phages are viruses that infect bacteria and don ’ t cause illness in people .

RCC was one of 20 schools nationwide chosen in 2016 to participate in a genomics research project sponsored by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute . The project is known as SEA-PHAGES ( Science Education Alliance-Phage Hunters Advancing Genomics and Evolutionary Science ). A total of 125 schools have been selected for the project in its first nine years .

The program trains first-year biology students in advanced laboratory techniques . The Fall course , “ Phage Hunters : Discovery ,” focused on traditional microbiology lab techniques and led to the capture and identification of unique bacterial viruses , or bacteriophages , from soil samples . The ability of phages to kill the bacterial cells they infect presents a potential alternative to current antibiotics . Two viruses discovered during the Fall semester were sent to the Howard Hughes Medical Institute for DNA sequencing .

The Spring portion , “ Phage Hunters 2 : Genomics ,” involves decoding the secrets held in the viruses ’ genomes by applying computer-assisted analysis of their DNA , a method known as bioinformatics . Students use this information to determine the likely function of each gene and to generate and test theories about the molecular behavior these organisms use to ensure infection . The entire process is accomplished without the need for a traditional lab .

Neissa Soraya Charles and Liji Joseph , students in the Phage Hunters program , conduct research on bacteria in the science lab at RCC . [ photo : Sophia Wood ‘ 17 ]

“ Our research process allows powerful experimentation to occur right there on the computer screen ,” said Jeff McLean , PhD , Assistant Professor of Biology . “ It also provides an excellent means for those into computer science to contribute meaningfully to cutting-edge biological research .”

The students are part of a national team working toward a common goal of discovery . As discoverers of record , the students get to name the virus and submit their discovery to the international phage database , where they will be credited . They also may have their work published in peerreviewed journals .

For more information on SEA-PHAGES , contact Dr . McLean at 845-574-4420 or jmclean2 @ sunyrockland . edu .

Inside

Free financial literacy classes 2

Earn your BA at RCC 2 Faculty visit Mideast 3 Foundation Luncheon 4 RCC to save big on energy 5 Full tuition scholarships awarded 6 Hispanic Business Awards 7 Singer Adele greets RCC grad 8 Alumni Spotlight 9 Passings 10 Film premiere 11 Earth Day 11

SCENE | 1