1) The document discusses isolating and characterizing bacteriophages from sewage samples using transmission electron microscopy. 2) The author was able to visualize bacteriophages that were specific for E. coli O157:H7 and Citrobacter freundii under the transmission electron microscope. 3) This confirmed that phages were present in the sewage plant samples and that transmission electron microscopy is an effective method for visualizing bacteriophages.

1. Isolation and Transmission Electron
Microscopic Characterization of
Bacteriophages in Sewage Specific for
E.coli O157:H7 and CitrobacterFreundii
Salvatore Valenti-Microbiology
Department of Biological Sciences

3. My Question?
• Can I prove that phages are present in the
sample collected from a sewage plant by
visualizing them via Transmission Electron
Microscopy?
• By answering this question I will help future
generations of Wagner microbiology students
perform further analyses of bacteriophages.

4. Philips CM 100 Transmission Electron
Microscope

5. E.Coli O157:H7 phage from my sample
A B
C D

6. Citrobacterphage from my sample
A B
C D

7. Conclusion
• Water samples from sewage plants are rich in
phages forE. coli O157:H7 and
Citrobacterfreundii as it was proven with
electron microscopy.
• Having learned the techniques to isolate
bacteriophages and visualize them with the
electron microscope makes me more
competitive in the job market.

8. Acknowledgements
• Dr. Kathleen Bobbitt
• Prof. Christopher Corbo
• Zulmaire Franco
• Dr. Roy Mosher
• Dr. Adam Houlihan