Stardust Crucader: Is The Marine Protist Carpediemonas Membranifera The First Known Crucivirus Host?
First Advisor
Ken Stedman
Date of Award
Spring 6-16-2025
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Biology and University Honors
Department
Biology
Language
English
Subjects
eXtreme Virus Lab, Cruciviruses, Carpediemonas membranifera, fluorescent microscopy, Fluorescent In-Situ Hybridization, virus evolution
Abstract
Cruciviruses are a unique class of ssDNA viruses that have not been isolated to date. To investigate the host-virus relationship in further detail, cruciviral activity and the association with Carpediemonas membranifera has been studied under heat stress. Using crucivirus-targeting probes, fluorescent in-situ hybridization was performed to determine crucivirus genome replication under varying temperature regimes. Potential viral induction was detected under temperatures ranging from 20-30°C, suggesting that the pro-cruciviral sequences integrated in this protist genome are functional, revealing Carpediemonas membranifera as a bonafide crucivirus host. The analysis of Carpediemonas membranifera and crucivirus relationship was carried out with different techniques. Wide field microscopy and flow cytometry were used to authenticate our suspicion that Carpediemonas membranifera may be the first known host organism to cruciviruses.
Recommended Citation
Richard, Marcell DeVaune; Stedman, Ken M.; and de la Higuera, Nacho, "Stardust Crucader: Is The Marine Protist Carpediemonas Membranifera The First Known Crucivirus Host?" (2025). University Honors Theses. Paper 1749.
Included in
Biodiversity Commons, Bioinformatics Commons, Evolution Commons, Integrative Biology Commons, Marine Biology Commons, Other Life Sciences Commons, Systems Biology Commons
Comments
Yay! I did it! 😁