Authors

Sean A. Rowe

Document Type

Honors Project

First Advisor

Dr. Stephen Baron

Second Advisor

Dr. Douglas Dennis

Degree Award Date

Spring 2003

Keywords

Cloning, Screening, Polyhydroxyalkanoate Depolymerase, Streptomyces spp. 5A

Disciplines

Biology | Laboratory and Basic Science Research | Molecular Genetics

Abstract

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are organic polymers produced by some soil bacteria as a carbon source for growth and energy. These PHAs are degraded by a family of enzymes called PHA-depolymerase, which are produced by many species of soil and water bacteria . These bacteria produce PHA-depolymerase and then use the degraded PHA as a source of carbon for energy and growth. This study will deal specifically with the PHA-depolymerase produced by Streptomyces spp. 5A.

The goal of the study was to create a partial gene library of the Streptomyces spp. 5A genomic DNA and then clone that library into Eschericia coli using the plasmid vector pBluescript SKII. Once created, the hbrary was screened for PHA-depolymerase production using selective PHA agar plates and oligonucleotide probes in order to find the desired gene.

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