Undergraduate Research & Scholarships

Ziad Cohen Rose Hills

Phage-induced EPS production and stress-modulated biofilm in rhizobia

My project explores how viruses that infect bacteria—called phages—impact the production of sticky substances known as exopolysaccharides (EPS) in Bradyrhizobium, a soil bacterium important for plant growth. These substances help bacteria form biofilms, which protect them from stress. I’m testing whether phage infection and environmental stressors like high salt, oxidative damage, or antibiotics cause Bradyrhizobium to produce more EPS. Using dye-based biofilm assays, I’ll compare how different treatments affect bacterial stickiness and colony appearance. This research could help us better understand how bacteria survive harsh conditions and how phage therapy might influence beneficial microbes in agriculture.

Message To Sponsor

Thank you so much for supporting my summer research. I’m incredibly excited to investigate how environmental stress and viral infection influence biofilm formation in Bradyrhizobium, a bacterium essential for plant health. This project aligns with my passion for microbial ecology and its applications in sustainable agriculture. Your generosity is making it possible for me to pursue meaningful, hands-on research.