Megan Miller
Activities:
Bieniek, K.N., L.M. Follweiler, M.W. Miller and A.B. Hale. 2003. Sequence Analyses of Temperate and Virulent Bacteriophages Infecting a Common Host Species 79th Annual Meeting of the Pennsylvania Academy of Science. Grantville, Pennsylvania. Abstract: Journal of the Pennsylvania Academy of Science 76:108.
Miller, M.W. and A.B. Hale. 2004. Sequence Analysis of a Temperate Bacteriophage. 80th Annual Meeting of the Pennsylvania Academy of Science. Monroeville, Pennsylvania. Abstract: Journal of the Pennsylvania Academy of Science 77:142.
Schwingel,, J.M. A.R. Beyer, K.N. Bieniek, M.W. Miller, L.M. Follweiler, M.S. Schrock, S.A. Libertoski and A.B. Hale. Viruses, Genes, Toxins and Diseases. 1st Annual Health and Wellness Conference. April 29-30, 2004. Cedar Crest College, Allentown, PA.
Hale, A., H. Cook, J. Schwingel, K. Bieniek, A. Beyer, L. Follweiler, M. Miller, M. Schrock, and S. Libertoski. Population-Level Analyses of Phages and Their Bacterial Hosts. 104th General Meeting of the American Society for Microbiology. May 23-27, 2004. New Orleans, LA.
Current Research:
Completion of the phage genome will provide greater insight into the process of lysogenic conversion, during which bacteria gain novel phenotypic properties. These properties usually provide selective advantage to the host such as protection against superinfection. Corynebacterium diphtheriae is an example of a bacterium that is normally harmless to humans but when a prophage is present, a toxin is produced that kills host cells. This results in disease and possibly death in humans. Knowing the sequence of the phage genome is critical to the screening process for such toxic genes and studying the advantages provided to the host by such genes. The objective of this study is to complete the sequence of KLphi1, a temperate bacteriophage infecting Janthinobacterium lividum (Betaproteobacteria). The total genome size is approximately 38 kb and putative genes involving replication, integration, and structure have been found.
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