As a University of Mary Washington student, Thien Phan is pursuing a scientific breakthrough that could one day save thousands of lives.
A senior biology major, Phan is conducting research in conjunction with the biology department’s phage hunters courses, which are offered at certain colleges as part of the National Genomics Research Initiative.
In 2008, the university became one of the first schools in the nation to be selected to participate in this genomics research initiative, which is funded by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science Education Alliance.
The phage hunters course, now in its third year at UMW, takes a learning-by-doing approach to biology. During the course designed for freshmen, students isolate viruses–called bacteriophages–from soil, prepare the viral DNA for sequencing and annotate and compare the sequenced genome to other bacteriophages and bacteria.
Lynn Lewis, professor of biological sciences, suggested Phan develop a project that more comprehensively explored the data gathered by the phage hunters classes.
“Thien’s interest in virology and bioinformatics made him the perfect candidate for this particular research project,” said Lewis, who credits UMW Professor Kathy Loesser-Casey with playing an instrumental role in obtaining the grant for UMW and its course.
Phan has isolated several viruses and done some preliminary characterization of them, Lewis said. After Lewis and Phan settled on one virus and had it sequenced, Phan started the computer analysis. He will present his analysis at the Virginia Academy of Science annual meeting in May.
Phan’s project, “Mycobacteriophage Genomics,” developed after he took courses on bioinformatics, the science of using computer technology to study molecular biology. His project grew out of his interest in conducting related research.
Through an undergraduate research grant from UMW, Phan is studying a bacteriophage that infects the bacterium Mycobacterium smegmatis, which is a close relative of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Phan is hoping to discover information about the genome of his phage that will lead to a better understanding of the genetics of the bacterium that causes tuberculosis.
“Potentially, we could discover something about the bacteria that could be used as a treatment for diseases like tuberculosis,” Phan said.
Working closely with students in the phage hunters courses, Phan follows the structure of the class to develop his research while independently branching off into areas supported by his advanced level of study.
“It’s a really good opportunity. I get to help out the students who are in the class,” said Phan. “It also helps me to better understand how to approach my research.”
In addition to sitting in on class lectures and performing lab work, Phan spends much of his time working on a computer, using programs to analyze the genetic sequences of the bacteriophage’s DNA.
A Richmond, Va., native and 2007 graduate of J.R. Tucker High School, Phan recently presented a poster on his research at the annual meeting of the Virginia Branch of the American Society for Microbiology. His research also entails use of the biology department’s advanced electron microscope, more commonly found at larger research universities.
“I’m able to apply the classroom knowledge that I have acquired at UMW into a real life setting that is within my field of study,” said Phan. “This is a huge advantage in preparing me for the real world and the next aspect of my life, whether graduate school or working in the laboratory.”