University Archives

This study asks how specific annotated genes contribute to bacteriophage replication and structural functions, and essentially, understanding why these rules are important for advancing the use of bacteriophage biology and how it can be used in future medicine and biotechnology. The research was conducted with internet software programs including PECAAN, Phamerator, SEA-Phages official function list, and the SEA-Phages Genomics guide. The function of the genes was found by comparing base pairs and amino acid sequences that existed within the databases. The genes that were analyzed were genes 1 through 3 and genes 57 through 74. Databases, including PECAAN and Phamerator provide information about characteristics of the genes and their function. In addition, guides including the SEA-Phages official function list and the SEA-Phages Genomics guide were used to define what the declared functions meant and examples of those functions in other genes.  Preliminary results suggest that genes 1–3 are likely involved in energy regulation and DNA packaging, while genes 57–74 play significant roles in DNA replication and genome processing. These findings suggest that the annotated genes contribute to essential phage life cycle processes, including replication, packaging, and host interaction. Understanding these gene functions may have broader implications for phage therapy and future research aimed at characterizing unknown proteins within bacteriophage genomes.