Isolation and Characterization of Novel Vibrio Bacteriophages in Oysters and Sediment in the San Francisco Bay
Morgan Hernandez, Benjamin-Rafael Mingoa
Department of Biology
Faculty Supervisor: Archana Anand
Ostrea lurida, also known as the Olympia oyster, is the only native oyster species in the San Francisco Bay. Oysters in the San Francisco Bay are a foundation species and are responsible for sustaining biodiversity and ecosystem health. Oyster reefs provide habitats for various marine organisms, prevent shoreline erosion, and improve water quality by filtering pollutants. Since the late 19th century, coastal oyster populations have been declining due to overharvesting, climate change, and industrialization, leading to a global loss of over 85% of oyster reefs. Certain Vibrio bacteria, commonly found in coastal waters, are human pathogens that can cause vibriosis. However, Vibrio species have also been associated with environmental disasters, such as coral reef bleaching events. Oysters can concentrate Vibrio bacteria within their tissue through filter feeding, disrupting the balance of their microbiomes. This makes oysters a prime host to discover Vibrio bacteriophages. This project aims to discover new phages for Vibrio species using three host Vibrio species: Vibrio furnissii, V. vulnificus, and V. parahaemolyticus. We will use Ostrea lurida from the San Francisco Bay to identify Vibrio phages in these oysters and sediment. The discovery of new phages could offer new impacts in medical settings and environmental conservation.