Simon, Lea (2025) Infection Dynamics and Genomic Signatures in Marine Lytic Phycoviruses Infecting Phaeocystis globosa. Master's Research Project 2, Marine Biology.
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Abstract
Viral lysis is an important loss-factor of marine algae, particularly for bloom-forming phytoplankton such as Phaeocystis globosa. In the laboratory, P. globosa viruses (PgVs) have been characterised into two groups (Group I and Group II) based on virion structure, genome size, and infection characteristics. However, genomic information, particularly for Group II, is lacking. Obtaining genomic information for both groups, alongside infection dynamics data, is key to linking genetic signatures to phenotypic traits and infection behaviour. Due to technical challenges with Group II PgVs, controlled infection assays of only Group I PgVs were performed and viral and host abundance was monitored using flow cytometry. Latent periods (time until first virus release) was 8-11 h post-infection for all strains, and burst sizes (viruses lysed host cell-1) ranged from 455-999. Little variability was observed in the Group I PgV infection dynamics. In this study, 9 genomes of PgVs were successfully assembled, including two strains from Group II. Phylogenetic analysis of the DNA Polymerase B gene clearly separated previously established Group I and Group II PgVs. Little intra-group variation was identified which was consistent with 5 other markers. However, divergent results were found for the structural major capsid protein phylogeny for which no markers from Group II PgVs could be detected and displayed variation within Group I PgV signals. Varying evolutionary pressures may influence the the ability for marker homologs to be identified, indicating that some markers may be more suitable for resolving PgV phylogeny. The newly assembled genomes, and the first genomes for Group II PgVs, expand the currently limited PgV catalogue. With additional information on the Group II PgV infection dynamics, this study provides a foundation for future work on genotype–phenotype links and infection dynamics of PgVs.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Master's Research Project 2) |
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| Supervisor name: | Hackl, T. |
| Degree programme: | Marine Biology |
| Thesis type: | Master's Research Project 2 |
| Language: | English |
| Date Deposited: | 13 Jun 2025 08:44 |
| Last Modified: | 13 Jun 2025 08:44 |
| URI: | https://fse.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/35342 |
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