Of Mycobacteriophages, Phamilies, and Bioinformatics

JMURJ is happy to announce its first publication from the natural sciences: "A Bioinformatics Approach to Revealing the Genetic Basis for Host Range Specificity." Using Phamerator, a bioinformatics software program developed to compare and analyze phage genomes, Hayley Norian performed an association study to research the relationship between gene products and the host range of these phages.

Sounds dense, right? Norian coaches readers new to mycobacteriophages, phams, and bioinformatics through her literature review, methodology, results, and discussion.  Her careful explanations along the way position readers who haven’t spent years in the lab to appreciate the real-world implications of work with the potential to aid in diagnosing and treating a  

Norian’s paper exemplifies JMURJ’s commitment to publishing challenging, innovative  research that rewards a diverse academic audience willing to come along for the ride. The end of the ride—the potential to diagnose and treat a growing list of antibiotic-resistant bacteria responsible for some of the world’s most debilitating and deadly diseases—isn’t so bad either.

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Hayley Norian (’14) from Oradell, New Jersey, graduated from JMU with a major in Biology. As a member of the Honors Program, the National Biological Honor Society, and Phi Beta Kappa, Norian remained very active on campus. She hopes to attend medical school and pursue a career in emergency medicine